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Do you have to sand down an old piece of furniture that you plan on painting?

I want to repaint an old dresser and table , but I dont want to sand it unless I need to...any answers?

Public Comments

1. Sanding will help the paint stick. Alternatively, you can use a really sticky "primer" coat, and then paint your color on top of that. Remember, for ease of cleaning, get the glossiest paint you can fint, or, paint it with whatever paint you have, and then you can always clear-coat-spray it.
2. umm i think u only sand if the paint is chipping
3. Yes, most of the time, you do. You may get by without it but it is not recommended at all. I have some furniture as well that will be gorgeous once sanded and refinished, but its the sanding part I dread so much.
4. Sanding will help the paint bond to the wood and make it look better after painting. if the dresser is now varnished then it is a must, Also if varnished you will need to prime with a oil base primer so the paint bonds to the varnish if you don't the paint will peel off when you use it.
5. even a light sanding or buffing is needed even if the furniture is still in good condition. buffing the old paint gives the new paint/ primer a good key coat to hang onto otherwise it will start peeling
6. The only reason to sand would be if there are rough spots or gouges. Sometimes a quick sanding will help the paint adhere better, but for the most part, all you need to do is clean the surface so that there is no "oil or pledge" on it ( use warm soapy water... wash, scrub a bit, then dry. Then you will be all set to paint. You should use "wood primer" as your first coat, too. If you are painting white you'll definitely need to use the primer, so that when you put on the second coat, the real paint, the wood finish won't show thru. I would even suggest putting on two coats of the regular paint. Are you using a gloss paint? It will wipe up better.
7. It will give you a cleaner space to work with and the color you picked will be more true.
8. If it's a really old piece of furniture why paint it ? Why not restore it! And I'm Sorry that's how I feel about "OLD FURNITURE"
9. Get yourself a quart of "Kilz Primer" paint it with kilz first..its quick drying, then choose your color and paint again...you are now in business without sanding...have fun
10. If you want it to look nice. My motto is that you won't get anything easy. If it's worth doing at all, then it's worth doing right. Sand all the rough spots out, smooth any varnish or other roughness. If your painting it, and have any dark spots then think of using a primer.
11. Yes otherwise the new paint won't stick. You can try KILZ, it is a primer and may work withuot sanding.
12. they have stripper {not that kind} that you can buy at the store that will take off any kind of finish off anything you want but check the labels first