View Single Post
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to rec.woodworking
Larry Blanchard Larry Blanchard is offline
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,532
Default Refinishing tips for a 70-year-old mahogany dining room set

On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:24:06 -0800, busbus wrote:

And you can see all the cracks and discoloration of the old varnish--at
least I think it is varnish.

That is the first question: how do I figure out what they used to finish
the dining set? Varnish, shellac, what else would they have used
seventy years ago?


The cracking would indicate varnish, but rubbing it with a little alcohol
(not rubbing alcohol) would show if it were shellac. Alcohol won't
affect varnish.

--
When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and
carrying a cross.