Repainting painted furniture

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

A couple of years ago I upcycled an old chest of drawers for DD's room with chalk paint and a waxed finish. It's held up ok at the sides and on the drawers but the top is looking pretty scruffy, mainly due to perfume and hairspray spillages. I want to repaint just the top, so what do I need to do to take off the wax and paint - can I just sand it down and paint over it or do I need to use paint stripper to prep it? (Bit worried that the stripper might drip and strip paint over other parts of it, and hoping as the paint is water-based chemicals can be avoided this time.)

And given that a waxed finish clearly isn't hardy enough to last, can I use matt varnish over the paint this time, or is there a better way? (Don't tell me I need to do the whole thing as it took ages the first time and it'll never happen.)

I wiped off the wax off my pine bedside table with white spirit. Lots if the stuff. Let it dry and repainted.

I have a wardrobe that needs re painting so ill do the sane again but I’ll use satinwood. Never again use chalk paint, its not durable.?

Yes, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is! It looks great when first done but definitely not robust. White spirit is a good shout, thanks.

You need to use paint stripper to get a nice finish, you can wrap and tape the rest to protect it.