What primer should I use for and old dresser?

Question

The dresser is painted already to look like wood. UGH! I sanded out all the bumps and scratches, but don't know whether to use oil based or water based primer. I haven't got the paint for the dresser yet either because I didn't know what kind of paint I could put on the primer. Please Help!

Answer 1

I'm not sure I would use a primer, since you said the dresser is already painted. Primer is usually to prep new wood prior to putting color coat on it. Also, it depends on the type of paint previously used. If the top coat is oil, latex water-based primer/paint won't stick, unless you treat the dresser with a special primer before hand. If you have sanded the dresser really well, and it's smooth without imperfections, just paint straight over it. I would use oil-based paint. It works well over previous water/oil paint and it smooths out better and gives a more professional look. Water-based paint can only be used over previous water-based, so it has a limitation, plus I don't think it's as resilient nor lasts as long as does oil-based stuff. And, if you want even a low-sheen appearance after painting, oil is the way to go.

Good luck

Answer 2

Ok... I'm a cabinet maker and I'm carefully reading your situation here. And from what I'm gathering is that the dresser is probably made from particleboard, since you said it is painted to look like wood. If so then the paints that are on it already are oil based since water based would destroy the particleboard (swelling). I'm also thinking that your probably going to paint it a light color since you want to prime it over the faux wood finish. If so Kilz or any other good oil based primer would work. If your going dark with the paint... you can use an oil based paint directly over what is there now. Hope this here works for you

Answer 3

Well, a few options you have here are to:
Remove the old paint, then primer and paint it.
Remove the old paint, then stain it.
Or... lightly sand it and paint it. Since like you said it has already been painted, you dont really need to primer it. Also dont use a water or latex based paint on it as this will cause things to stick to it and leave a mark, like a magazine or newspaper. So yes, use an oil based paint.

Answer 4

When choosing your paint you need to be aware that oil based paint is just that - a base of oil. It smells very strong so it needs to be done in a place with good ventilation and windows open. It take hours and hours to dry, you need special treatments (turpentine) to get if off your brushes and for any clean-up and forget it if you happen to spill a few drops on most materials because you will never get it entirely off. You are not supposed to dispose of it in any sink, toilet or garbage as it is hazardous to the environment. I am amazed that so many responses suggested you use oil based paint.

Water based paint or "latex" paints have a water base. They are very sophisticated now, as durable as possible and you can even get glossy enamels if you choose. It dries in minutes. The clean up is with soap and/or water and there is absolutely no odor.

Even if the piece was originally done with an oil base you can get appropriate primer for it and do not believe for one minute that water based paint affects pressboard. Lordy, I'm a decorator and I've been painting furniture for 15 years and although most of my projects are on pine or maple, I have done my share of pressboard/particleboard and there is no problem using latex on them. Of course they are porous but you aren't soaking them with paint you are only covering the surface so there isn't enough moisture to cause any swelling.

I hope this helps a little. You might want to do a Google search for some of the well known paint companies and look up their Q & A for more information. Good luck.

Answer 5

Use alkyd primer. That means oil based. Thats the best especially when you don't know what you got. It sticks the best. and gives a better, harder finish.
Do sand as much of the glossiness off the old dresser as you can....that applies to any primer.
You can put oil or latex over the primer once you give it 2 days to dry(especially in the winter)

Answer 6

I worked in a paint department for 5 yrs and we would always suggest an oil based primer. It gives for better finish and it soaks better into the wood giving it better adhesion. You can always use a water based paint over that for your top coat.

Answer 7

Use a good oil based primer, preferably one formulated to cover stain; it covers a little bit differently than paint. Then you should be able to use any kind of paint you want on top, oil or latex.

Answer 8

I agree on paying for mis-blended paints for inexpensive. in spite of the shown fact that, in case you will misery it, you will want to apply flat paint, no longer semi-gloss (satin is superb). And, i've got stumbled on that lots of the paint interior the mis-blended packing containers is semi-gloss or gloss because it become paint human beings have been paying for to circulate on the wall. Knobs will value you from $a million on as much as $5 each and each in case you circulate to a ironmongery save. looking a set of them used (with you needing 14) is going to be tricky, yet you will locate new ones that look previous.

Answer 9

for furniture, i would recommend spray kilz.

Answer 10

i would use Kilz, it works great.