Power tool for sanding toe rail

[RossC32]

I need to re-varnish the wood trim on the outside of the boat. The toe-rail is only about 2 by 2 and so it isn't very easy to power sand it with standard orbital sanders or even a finishing sander. Can anyone suggest a power tool (and appropriate attachment) that might work effectively here? The job would be to remove any black staining, old peeling varnish and to smooth any surfaces that are already bare.
Last time, I used hand scrapers and sandpaper and I'm hoping someone can suggest an easier way.
Ross

[sea_hunter]

Unless you've got a tender hand do it the same way you did lastly. You could try a multi-tool of some type; either Fein or HomeDepot brand.

[SVTatia]

Ross

I'll be watching this post as I'll be doing the same on my toerail.
So far I am leaning towards the 1/4 sheet sander as it has 4 flat sides, even though it is orbital, it should be able to do the job. Problem is when you get too close to the hull, and my idea is to mask the fiberglass with the wide blue masking tape then cover this tape with gorilla tape. This way the fiberglass will not be harmed. Reason for the blue tape? Gorilla tape is very sticky and may leave a residue, with the blue tape underneath it would be easy to peel back when the job is finished.

[SchockT]

I have seen some nice little mini belt sanders that use a 1" wide belt that might do the trick. A dremmel with a flap wheel might do the trick too. Go to your local tool shop and have a look around!

[RossC32]

Going to tool stores is on my to-do list (always drool when I go) but I was hoping that someone had 'been there done that' successfully.
Love those pictures.
Ross

[SchockT]

Yeah that Bosch one looks promising!

[poopdeckpappy]

Ya know, a citrus or soy stripper, along with a set of sharp cabinet scrappers will do a excellent job, then it's a easy fine sand job

But, a drumel multimax is a handy tool

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by SchockT

I have seen some nice little mini belt sanders that use a 1" wide belt that might do the trick. A dremmel with a flap wheel might do the trick too. Go to your local tool shop and have a look around!

Those thing will eat a toerail in seconds - don't do it. I had one of the Makitas 'cause it seemed like a cool tool - it was the most useless power tool I ever owned. There must be a reason it was invented but I never found out what it was.

Face facts - the job you describe is a hand job (pun intended) - there is no power tool appropriate to it I'm afraid.

[PorFin]

A Fein MultiMaster (or another company's equivalant) will do the job, but you may not save yourself much time. I usually reach for my Fein first when tackling projects, but when doing my own caprails I found that the old fashioned methods were in fact faster and yielded better results.

I'm with SJB and PP on this one -- combination of a sharp card scraper and where necessary Citrus Strip. If the finish is particularly stubborn, a heat gun will come in handy.

[Cherp]

Those makita power files do what a rough rasp used to do. They are good for rough shaping. Mind you, i still find plenty of uses for the rasp too.