How do I sand the details on a nightstand door?

Thank you! I didn't know about using steel wool for this but it seems to be a great idea, as it's easily able to reach small spaces. My only concern is that the primer says it should be applied to bare wood or sanded down. I was under the impression it should be sanded down to bare, no previous finish left at all. Even applied a bit for experience and where the primer was painted on top of the sanded previous varnish, it did peel off easily enough when scrapping with a finger nail. So I'm a bit indecisive about what to do...

What kind of primer? Are you using a bonding primer, latex wall primer, oil based. Primer?

It's a water based primer, specific for wood. It says it can be applied to any type of wood and painted on with any type of paint. Brand: Luxens.

I strongly recommend oil based primer with a bonding agent in it. I paint furniture prof. It tends to chip less. By any chance is your molding detail resin?

It's not, it's solid wood. I'll look around for such kind of primer. Can water based paint still be applied on it? There's no point in asking you to suggest brands because most likely I can't get them here and ordering online makes it all very costly.

Yes, but oil base would hold up better. You can always paint latex over oil primer, but not over oil finish paint. The finish on your night stand is oil, that's why I'm telling you to prime in oil. Good luck.

I began sanding because the primer says it should be applied on bare wood or sanded down with fine grit sandpaper and it does seem to adhere better to bare wood. I also want to paint it white (I know... how original! :)) and every kink and grain becomes extra visible and sanding smooths it a bit better. I really don't know what kind of wood it is, since I don't know much about the subject, but I'd say oak? Seems like it from what I've seen online, so maybe that's why the piece I primed last Summer (yes, it goes that fast!:)) has turned yellowish?

oak needs a grain filler to smooth it & sealed to prevent the tannins from bleeding thru turning paint yellow. The quick fix is a sealer so the tannin or stain can't penetrate through. Remedy for bleed through/stains is shellac or shellac based primer. ... By applying any of these products, the stain or bleed through will be sealed and won't penetrate through your next coat of paint.Also oil based polyurethane will yellow so water based is better but doesn't stop the bleeding thru of tannins. water based paint,primer & sealer draw tannins up/out from wood. I love well painted white furniture

The primer I used does say it's suitable for both resinous and tannin woods and doesn't mention using anything else, implying it'll be efficient enough in sealing the wood. Now that I think of it, the yellowing occurred on the front of the door, which had previously been varnished. The back was raw and the primer remained white. Do you think it could actually have reacted to whichever traces of varnish were still there instead of reacting to/with the wood?

or probably whatever stain was with/under the varnish

The ones I have access to seem to be kind of hard and don't really get into the kind of nooks on this piece, but I'll keep an eye open for softer ones.

try these https://www.gesswein.com/p-12863-sanding-detailer-multi-functional-sanding-tool.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsbXgk_zC4wIVhq_sCh0rnALEEAQYAiABEgLqzfD_BwE I use them on jewelry and some leather goods I make or these for wood https://www.amazon.com/Peachtree-Flexible-Contour-Sanding-Profiles/dp/B0041IPAVQ/ref=asc_df_B0041IPAVQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241891129618&hvpos=1o13&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3901013181390185128&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030040&hvtargid=pla-663363115352&psc=1