That looks like a well made older piece. No, you don't have to remove the paint. Just sand, fill any holes (not the knob holes obviously unless you want to change them) and smooth any rough spots to your satisfaction, prime, and paint.

The only thing that is bothering me is whether that is an oil based paint on there or latex. If oil check out this or many other articles. This one also tells you how to test whether it is oil or not. Something about the sheen makes me wonder, but it could just be the lighting. The problem is you can't just paint over oil based paint with latex because it won't stick unless you use the right primer. The article recommends Kilz and I've used that and liked it fairly well. There is another but the name is escaping me just now.

Good luck with your project. That should look really nice in white.

Here is a link that might be useful: Article on latex over oil.

If you want to do a light color, that looks like a perfect candidate for chalk paint. There are a couple of current threads on this. You don't have to worry about priming or removing the old paint. It's a great piece. Good luck!

beeps, the person I bought if form said she painted the drawers with latex. The rest of it she didn't paint so I don't know what that part is. Should I just prime with kilz to make sure it's ok?

What a fun piece to restore. I can see glass knobs on it. You didn't say if you wanted to age it or paint solid white. The drawers look like they have a ton of paint on them. I'd sand the edges to get some of this off. And sand lightly the rest of the chest, looks like a lot of paint drips and brush marks need to go away. You could use a liquid sander to cut the the paint for final painting. It is easy to use, but those brush and drips need to go away. Which may be why the top was sanded, they may have been on the go to finish and didn't get there.

emagineer, I'm planning on painting it solid white. I haven't decided what kind of knobs to get yet, but I have definitely thought about glass. It's going in my 3 year old triplets room so I want something girly and cute!

With furniture like this, should I just use regular latex paint? Eggshell finish?

To test the part you don't know if it is oil or latex - test with a cotton ball of nail polish remover, acetone, or paint thinner. If paint comes off it is latex, if it doesn't it is oil.

I would def use a latex paint - esp since you haven't done anything like this before. Oil is difficult to work with. I'd also say eggshell would be good - higher glosses are a little trickier. I'd stay with things that are more forgiving for a first attempt. But, flat isn't as easy to clean up and since it will be in your triplets (!) room you want something you will be able to wipe off if necessary. I don't know anything about the chalk paints but it sounds like they are very easy to work with.

I agree with emagineer there are a lot of brush strokes, and it looks like there may be several layers of paint on the drawers. I wouldn't get too worried about getting all the brushstrokes and drips out. Don't go for perfection on your first project. Go for functional and much improved. If you enjoy it then you can go for perfection on your next piece! =)

All you have to do is google how to paint a dresser and you will find tons of info. It's a very sweet piece and will look great in your daughters' room.

This would be a perfect candidate for chalk paint, as scarletshouse said. Easy to use, forgiving, you can go right over the existing paint without any priming or preparation.

I thought the chalk paint was used to create an aged look? Do they have paint that just looks like regular white paint? Can I use it over oil based paint without priming and painting? I would love to skip all the sanding and priming!

That's going to be so cute when you are done with it. I think chalk paint gives a flat-paint appearance so you'd probably want to put clear wax over it to give it some sheen and make it easier to wipe off. I think you'd still want to sand down any noticable chips or unevenness in the paint that's on there no matter what you paint over it.

That IS a great piece and chalk paint would be wonderfully easy, and would adhere well to the existing. You got very lucky with your Craigslist.

I know that you just want to paint it now, but in a few years, if you want to do something that is fun and EASY, look at what I am doing with a similar dresser from 'my' Craigslist. All I did was cut some fabric to size for the drawer fronts, and glued it on with ModgePodge, which can be found in any craft store. It acts as glue, and then you do several coast of it on top of the fabric to act as sealer. It just takes a very light sanding between coats, and you're done! I agree that glass knobs would be perfect on yours.

I just looked on eBay and found some that are very reasonable priced, and he has a good selection. See link below. They can be very pricey, so I'll be looking at his, too! (I have NO affiliation with ANY seller on eBay; I just like to shop there.)

Before -

During, as I haven't finished it yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Some well -price glass knobs on eBay

This is a great piece for chalk painting. I have used Annie Sloan's chalk paint, and it works extremely well - Plus a little goes a LONG way. Chalk paint itself does not give an aged look. The aged look comes from sanding after painting and/or using dark wax. If you like white, check out Annie Sloan's Old White, which is a beautiful shade - not too stark. You can use chalk paint over oil without priming. IMHO, that's one of the best features of chalk paint. However, you should still sand rough spots and fill holes in advance if you want a smooth finish (vs distressed look). I posted some before and after photos of some nightstands I painted on another recent thread.

my3dogs, that is so pretty!

I would use a waterborne enamel on that piece. I use Cabinet Coat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet coat.

Chalk paint would be great - it comes in a variety of colors, you don't have to stick with a light color. No sanding necessary. You can age (distress) - which I personally prefer - but you don't have to. I always use wax after the chalk paint, and you can buff that to more of a sheen, plus it is a protective coat.

tina

Would 2 tester sizes of the chalk paint (4oz) each be enough paint to paint this dresser? It would be about $15 cheaper than buying a quart.

Chalk paint looks "antiqued" to me, and I'm not partial to the effect myself. For kids, I would think a latex semi-gloss would be ideal so you can wipe off those fingerprints!