You'll get the best result with a light sand : ) We don't know what nightstand, , and what wood you are painting: )

Thank you; it's very hard and heavy wood and is one of the larger old traditional night stands. I've had it for a while and now I'm trying to recycle it because; it's such good wood and such a nice piece. I'll take your advice and thank you again.

Always scrub it well first, then sand it well, and primer it with top quality primer, and then finally it is ready for at least two coats of good quality paint. There is paint that is meant for just furniture, that is a bit better than regular paint.

There’s a gal on IG who sprays oven cleaner on all her pieces and then scrubs with a round scrub brush! She doesn’t paint anything, but just removes old paint that way, still does a light sand.

Thanks my loves for the advice. Most grateful.

Are you stripping the current finish and then painting (you said “prime.”)? Or are you re staining or simply refinishing the surface of what you find? There are people here who can give you advice, whatever it is that you intend for it. Some are professional painters, others are hobbyists. Good luck!

I want the easiest way to update it without to much work. I bought new handles but, have to make new holes.