I have an old table that my folks finished 30+ yrs ago. It’s in need of refinishing (obviously). I’d like to determine what kind of finish it currently has on it. If something wet is placed on the table, it get a white spot and the grain tends to raise a little bit.
Would this be a shellac finish perhaps? If not, what would it possibly be?
What would be the best way to strip the finish (aside from a stripping product)?
As best I can tell, the wood looks to be mahogany. Also looks like it was stained. I’m hoping I can lighten up the appearance so it doesn’t look so dark and heavy. Is there a way I can lighten it up?
Thanks in advance for you input.
Matt
Replies
cam[bem,
Shellac is a good assumption. Try some alcohol on a spot and see if that breaks through the finish. Thirty years ago shellac was little out of vogue, varnish was preferred and poly was becoming popular. But the white marks make it sound like shellac.
Matt,
Try some alcohol (rubbing or denatured) on fine steelwool. If it melts the finish, it's probably shellac. You can rework a shellac finish using this alcohol and elbow greese process. Problem - shellac will never be waterproof.
jdg
30 years ago lacquer was used a lot. My money's on lacquer.
Do the solvent test using lacquer thinner.
The best way to strip it is to use stripper. Solvent will disolve it but you need the detergent effect of stripper to really remove the old finish. The detergent effect prevents disolved finish from reattaching itself to the table, something solvent can't do. Solvent will leave an awful lot behind.
Lee
Furniture Carver
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