What is the best way to paint dressers? Tools and techniques?

This tutorial will help you. Happy painting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNxxjXAI7-Y

I paint a dresser just like I would paint a door or chair or floor. Make sure the piece is clean and solid, and paint it with usually just one, or two coats of my (preferably) oil semi-gloss or gloss paint. Although the pieces here have been either decoupaged or with a paint decoration, the basic coats are very simple. I use the paint, appropriate brushes, have a damp cloth handy for any mishaps. For decoupage; one must top coat with as many coats of polyurethane as desired, with decorative paint, no top coat used. I am not painting grand pieces of furniture, just "found" items.

How do you deep clean and restore a tables surface for greater appeal?

No, I don't do any sanding. If the piece were rough I would, for instance I just washed a chair I had picked up for free. It is very rough, if I were going to paint that chair I would sand it first. . .but actually I love that little chair as it is. The pieces I showed above were all painted years ago.