On 12 Sep, 15:30, "tim....." wrote:
I have to sand down an intricate cast iron bench for repainting.

Not a hope! Sounds horrible.

Run it through an electrolysis bath, which you can easily DIY (search
rec.woodworking) and will de-rust it too. It'll shift a lot of paint
(if you wait a week), but if anything is left, pay to have it sand-
blasted commerically. Not usually too expensive, if they're nearby.

Otherwise there's Nitromors and whirly wire brushes for angle-
grinders. Sanding's a bit of a no-no though, you'll just not got into
the corners.