Write an article based on this "Lay down a dropcloth. Remove the drawers from the dresser. Sand the dresser with a medium-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the dresser with a damp cloth. Brush on a coat of basic white primer. Allow the primer to dry for 4-6 hours."
Sanding, priming, and painting can be messy work, so be sure to stretch out a large dropcloth or plastic tarp over your work area. The extra layer will act as a barrier to protect your floor against spills and splatters. Paint fumes can quickly become overpowering. For this reason, it's recommended that you do your painting in a garage or workshop that will provide some ventilation, or in an outdoor space like a patio or driveway. Use strips of tape or heavy objects like paint buckets to hold down the corners of the dropcloth and keep it from blowing around in a stiff breeze. Pull out each drawer, lifting them at the opening to help them clear the edge of the roller track. Set these aside on your dropclothyou'll be painting them separately from the rest of the frame. Clear everything out of the drawers once they're free to avoid ruining any cherished belongings. Use a square of 80-100 grit sandpaper to gently scuff the entire outer surface. This will remove the existing finish so that the dresser will have an easier time accepting fresh paint. Sand with smooth, circular rubbing motions to avoid leaving noticeable streaks in the grain. Make sure you give the edges, corners, and any recessed or molded bits some attention, as well. Bearing down too hard with the sandpaper may damage the wood underneath. Run the cloth lightly over the sanded surface to collect loose dust and debris. Once the dresser is clean, let it sit for 20-30 minutes to give it time to dry before you move on to priming. Any wood dust you miss may show up in the finished paint job. Apply the primer in one thin, even coat using a brush or foam roller. Aim for total coverageevery part of the dresser you intend to paint should be underlaid by a neutral base coat. This will allow the new color to come through clearer and bolder. A spray-on primer will also do the trick if you'd prefer not to go to the trouble of detailing by hand. There are both oil and water-based primers, just as there are oil and water-based paints. Be sure to choose a primer with the same basic formula as the paint you'll be using. The base coat needs to set completely before you can paint over it. To speed the process along, make sure the dresser receives plenty of airflow. Opening a couple doors or windows or setting up a portable fan in front of the piece can help with this. Come back periodically and give the primer a tough-test to see how it's coming along. If it feels sticky, it still needs more time. Painting over wet primer can smudge the base coat, leaving behind white swirls in your new color.