I just bought a brand new dresser w/hutch at a going out of business sale. The accent pieces across the tops of the hutch and dresser look to be maple with a light colored stain. The body of the dresser and hutch are painted white. I would like to either paint the entire thing black, or stain the entire thing dark walnut (whichever is easier). I have read conflicting advice on the web as to whether or not you can paint over stain or previously applied paint without stripping and sanding...what is your opinion? I have never finished or refinished a piece of furniture in my life and I have no idea where to start. If you could walk me through it, I would REALLY appreciate it!!

 

Welcome to the forums

To stain painted wood it first must be stripped down to raw wood.
To paint stain/poly wood you need to sand well, apply a bonding type oil or shellac primer, sand and apply 2 coats of finish.

Often when furniture pieces are painted they aren't of stain grade wood.