Doesn't that mostly depend on where it's going?

I'd leave it as is for now until you decide exactly where it will go. Maybe some orange oil to help bring out the current finish.

This looks like Teak, no? If, so, I humbly suggest you try to treat it with oil first. You may be surprised at how lustrous the wood will look. I picked up a similar piece which was looking pretty beat and, in no time it was so beautiful, I wouldn't have dreamed of painting it.

Sanding it could ruin it - There are veneers on that piece.

I'd stick to Howards Restor-a-Finish and Feed-n-Wax - and don't paint.

Yes, take bepsf's advice.

I am a big fan of painting virtually anything, but not this. I agree I think it's teak and should not be painted. I sold a similar and smaller teak dresser on craigslist for 400.00 earlier this year, mine was solid and I have no idea if your piece is, but if you really want a painted piece and yours is solid teak, oil it sell it and buy something more worthy of paint, ie 1970's veneers.

Yes, try the Howards route first by all means. Painting the outside of that piece would be a great shame. If you must, I would limit it to a gloss black on the raised molding, but really, best not.

Sorry but I am going to say the same thing here, don't paint it. I use Howard's Orange Oil furniture polish its amazing!

The painting craze will end soon, wood furniture like this is always in.

This is a nice piece.

It would look nice painted. Depends upon what the rest of your bedroom looks like as to whether black or white would be the better choice.

Anyone know where I can buy the Howard products? It looks like Lowe's and Home Depot doesn't sell them (online, at least).

At the rest of being unpopular... paint it!

You may also think about using Briwax. It comes tinted in a few colors.

"Anyone know where I can buy the Howard products?"

Your local Ace Hardware store can get it for you.

Here are a few thoughts:
1. It's your dresser, so you get to make up your own rules.
2. I like what everyone posted about saving the wood. My sister's philosophy is to save "good" furniture and paint "un-good."
3. If you want to paint it, you might print several copies of the dresser's photo and color each w/colored pencils, trying out your different ideas.
4. Random orbit(al) sanders are fun. You can't have too many tools; however, people that refinish furniture use sand paper that's even finer than what we buy at the hardware store. The sander will leave swirl marks.
5. Have fun. And thanks to everyone for the oiling idea. I have a similar dresser.

www.howardproducts.com/restora.htm

Howard's is also for sale on Amazon....check the prices and go with the best price. I swear by Howard's. IMO, it is much better than Briwax.

Beautiful piece! It will look even better with the
Howard's Restor-A-Finish. Very easy to use.

By the way, if you don't want to order online, I get mine at a local shop for cabinet makers. Check your local woodworking shops. They frequently sell specialized products not available at HD or Lowes.

Great! Thanks so much, zoee & bepsf.

Hey Jada,
There are two locations (Chicago) for a store called The White Attic -- I believe their business is exactly what your project is... You can find some info and lots of ideas on their website: www.thewhiteattic.com Have fun.

Howard's rocks!

Another vote for no paint. If you want a funky dresser, then have at it with an Ikea Malm (and send me that one).

No paint- some polish will do the trick

I just lugged home a similar piece from the Sally Ann. I honestly wondered whether I should have dropped it off at the curb when I saw how sorry it looked. Like yours, however, the wood was teak so I tried the Howard Restor-a-Finish/Orange Oil combo. In less than an hour, the piece looked drop dead gorgeous. The patina of the wood was incredible. I'm a hug fan of painting furniture when it merits it but, my advice here, don't do it to teak. You will never come close to replicating the beauty of the wood. Also, teak is endangered, it would be a shame to sacrifice it to a paint brush. Go with the Howard stuff. I picked them up at Home Depot for about $20 for the two. Also, you can also give Howard a try and if you still don't like the look, then re-evalutate.

I painted an "unworthy" piece of dark stained 1970's vintage furniture. It took several coats of Kilz and primer in addition to about 6 coats of paint. Your furniture doesn't look to be in bad enough shape to warrant that kind of work.

Another vote for no paint.

Please try the oil first. Good luck.

Do you have a friend who knows Photoshop, or access to the program yourself? Anytime I start a project, I use Photoshop to pre-visualize the end product. It helps me get a feel for colors, patterns, dimensions, and how it will look in a room.

Take a well lit photo of the dresser where you'd like it to eventually live, and then use Photoshop to make variations on the colors.

If you no experience with the program but can access it, you'll mostly need to learn the selection tools (marquee, magic wand, and lasso) and a little color manipulation (hue and saturation).

Please don't paint it!!!

Another vote for not painting!
Also, it would be a pain to sand that thing, with all the little nooks and crannies.

Also worth checking if it's a solid or a veneered piece.

GORGEOUS!

Howard's products are sold in store at Home Depot.

That doesn't look like teak to me, more like something with a walnut stain/finish from the 60's. Of the 60's era stuff, this is pretty nice as is. With a good cleaning it could be gorgeous and lustrous - don't paint it w/o cleaning it first (yes, it's yours, but since you asked our advice here on a public forum....). You can always pretend you are Samantha Stevens (or Derwood) with that piece too!