The brakes on my classic TVR dont look like they have had much use...However, the drums were removed, thus leaving the shoes exposed....then the car was resprayed..

So, there is a reasonaly thin spatter of primer/sanding coat on the pads..

Would it be perfectly acceptable/safe to simply take some sandpaper to the shoes and remove the paint to get back to the nice clean finish one would expect from a brake shoe?

Just put it all back together.
The paint wont last long after a few presses of the pedal.

RD

simply yes, use to be a very common practice in the old days to take the glaze off, also remove the sharp edge of the shoes leading edge if there is one to prevent the corner chipping till it beds in, a sanded chamfer is all that’s needed.

This is why I love working on an old car like this...

Things are all logical.....

Thanks for the input...will give them a going over before I re-assemble my nice shiny painted backplates

be careful how much you take off and remember the pads will need bedding in after you've done this (unless you can somehow guarantee to take off the exact amount so they match the face of the brake drum.)

Don't breath the dust!

Fairly fine wet and dry with water works great.

put it back together, brake pedal on

An old car could still have asbestos brake linings, treat with respect!