I should know better - always prime before you paint! After slapping on a coat of paint I realized that the paint was just peeling off. After some scraping and sanding, the bookcase is ready for some primer. I used Zinser cover stain. Good stuff. Dries in a hour, which is good for an impatient painter like myself. Afterward I used Benjamin Moore Aura paint, another great paint for us impatient painters. I am currently letting the bookcase to dry thoroughly before I set it up! More "after" photos will follow. Stay tuned.......