Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Apr 25, 2002 03:46am | #1

   to tell if its shellac, an easy test is to get some denatured alcohol and a q-tip.

   Find an out of the way area and rub the alcohol saturated q-tip around. If turns color (not dirty) its shellac. Basically youve taken a bit of the shellac off. If its not a new color its probably varnish or laquer

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Apr 26, 2002 12:28am | #4

   Bill, follow the alcohol with a dab of lacquer thinner. If it softens, then it's lacquer.

2. 
   LRutherfor1 | Apr 25, 2002 03:52am | #2

   If it's veneer, I'd be very careful sanding.  Almost every time I've tried, I've gotten too deep and ended up replacing that side.  "Orange" paint removers will remove most finishes, and is gentle to the wood.  Be careful with any liquids on the wood, especially an old one.  Mositure could make it check (crack).  It's usually best to try a patch on the back first.  Good Luck, Len   (Len's Custom Woodworking)

3. 
   forestgirl | Apr 25, 2002 04:25am | #3

   As Bill said, test the finish with denatured alcohol (to test for shellac); if that produces no result, then test with lacquer thinner.  If that produces no result, the methylene chloride is what you'll need.  However, with that vintage piece, it's more likely to be one of the first 2.  If it's very thin veneer, I'd steer away from methylene chloride if possible.

   You might want to clean it first with turpentine, so you're working with the finish and no waxes or dirt that might be overlying it.

   Can you tell if the burn went through the veneer?  Hopefully not!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)