Post #736775 by TheBigT on Fri, Feb 6, 2015 9:44 AM

Hey TS, it's looking good! So the top part doesn't need any refinishing at all. Just a paste wax (once you're all done). For the bottom part I would guess, based on the color, that it's a shellac finish. The mineral spirits or wax wash, whichever one you applied, should not hurt the finish. It will not dissolve cured shellac, varnish, or poly finishes. It will dissolve waxes.

You can test for shellac like this: take some of the flakes coming off and put them in a small dish. Add some of your cleaner. If it dissolves completely or dissolves into a mush, it's shellac. In that case you can finish cleaning the wood and reapply shellac to the missing parts. You can get premixed shellac from Home Depot/Lowes, etc. The brand I mostly see is "Deft". Get the amber shellac. It might not completely match what you have already. The only way to do that would be to purchase dry shellac flakes and mix your own (eek).

I would try the premixed Deft brand amber shellac. Thin it 50% with denatured alcohol. Apply a couple of coats to darken the tone if needed. When done, wax the whole piece of furniture. Remember, alcohol (including your mixed drinks) will damage a shellac finish. If you get a match you like, you could apply a lacquer (Deft makes a brush on lacquer). It's hard to say whether there is a clear coat on it now or not.