What kind of sand paper should I use to remove paint from wood?

I have a belt sander, and am wondering what type of sandpaper I should buy in order to be the most efficient at removing old paint froma picnic table.

Go to Home Depot and buy some pain remover and you won't need much sandpaper or electric just a little elbow grease. The paint remover will wrinkle up the old paint so that you can get it off with a putty knife. This may take a few applications then hose off the whole thing. If you do need the sandpaper, it will be due to the wood warping and you want to smooth it out. For that, use a coarse first then to a medium followed by a light finishing sandpaper. At this pint, you'll be ready to re-stain or paint.

Good luck and I hope it turns out as good for you as it did for me.

rough sandpaper

I am guessing you haven't not had much experience w/your belt sander or you wouldn't be asking the question. Given your lack of experience, I would start w/a 80 grit, but NO PRESSURE. let the sander do the work. Once you get most of the paint off, switch to 120. After a few passes, leveling the table and removing the sand marks form the coarse paper, go to an 240 grit. At this point, I would put away the belt and go w/an orbital sander w/240 grit. If you want a real slick finish, Hand sand w 320 grit.

I would use a paint stripper first. You may need 2 applications. Then use 120 grit in a finishing or orbiter sander. then a 200 grit you should be fine. As for the belt sander, not a chance. It will put gouges in the wood and uneven sanded spots. Belt sanders are really supposed to be used to fast removal of wood and not for finishes.