How to Repaint a Wooden Dresser

Remove the hardware from the dresser and set aside in a safe place where the pieces won't get lost.

Remove the drawers and set them on a tarp where you can clean and paint them. They will also need to sit there while they dry. If you put them back in the dresser too soon, the paint will stick to the dresser.

Clean all painted surfaces with trisodium phospate (TSP) according to the directions. You will need to water it down in a bucket. TSP is available in hardware and home improvement stores.

Lightly sand all the old painted surfaces with fine-grit sand paper, which will help the paint cling to the surface. Properly preparing the surface is critical to a good outcome, according to Better Homes and Gardens. After sanding, wipe down the dresser with a rag to remove any loose debris.

Paint all previously painted surfaces with an oil-based primer, if the dresser is not a light color.

Paint the dresser with oil-based paint, which is less likely to show brush marks, pulling the brush in the direction of the planks, as recommended by This Old House's Josh Garskof. For example, brush a drawer front horizontally in the direction of the plank. Brush the side vertically. Pull the brush toward drips so it meets them in the opposite direction to which they are running.

Allow to dry for 24 hours before you replace the hardware and put the drawers back in. Use paint thinner to clean brushes and splatters.