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You can sand paint off a wall. However, it's difficult and time-consuming. Depending on why you wish to remove the paint, there are simpler ways to achieve similar results. Scraping off any loose paint and applying a skim coat is the most common way to hide a damaged wall or paint job.

Most handy homeowners can tackle removing texture from unpainted walls. Removing texture from painted walls is a bit trickier. Paint acts as a sealant, so you can’t soften the texture with water. Instead, you’ll have to add a layer of drywall compound known as a skim coat. This process is messy and takes some practice.

It’s best to use a slightly slower-working paint remover that is safer to use, such as mineral spirits, because the strongest spray paint removers are often also the most toxic. Many of these products contain dangerous chemicals, such as methylene chloride, which the EPA banned for most uses in April 2024 after it was established as a major carcinogen.

Linoleum adhesive is quite stubborn, so you may have to try several different methods for removal. You can start with a wallpaper steamer and steam it off or add laundry detergent to water and let it soak into the adhesive. You can try paint thinner directly on the adhesive for about 10 minutes and then wipe away.