Remove chipped, peeling or flaking paint or rust from objects with a wire brush or fine-grit sandpaper. For larger surfaces and walls, use a scraper, being careful to scrape hard enough but not so hard that you gouge or dig into the surface under the paint. Feather-sand any remaining paint using very fine-grit sandpaper. If the old finish on wood is in bad shape, it’s best to remove it entirely with a liquid paint stripper. Always wash the surface with soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely.
Before removing any paint, if you suspect there is lead in the paint, don’t try to remove it. Instead, contact a qualified contractor for a lead paint assessment.