Removing a dried out finish

I have recently acquired a 1950's 3 piece lounge in what I think is a rosewood colour finish. A large portion of the surface has an orange colour finish that I can scrape off with my fingernail. The ends of the armrests that are constantly handled look okay. I think the dried out finish is just years of polish buildup (aka Mr Sheen) and that underneath I should find an intact original polyurethane finish.

If this is correct, how should I get it back to the original finish?

If I'm not correct, then what is the likely situation and solution? Thanks.

Highly unlikely to be polyurethane. Most likely french polish or more likely nitrocelulose lacquer.

How would he be able to tell? And what would he do next?
(Apart from weep at the amount of work required to strip and sand).

I think it is very likely to be nitrocelulose lacquer, even though I don't know exactly what that is. It's like a celulose protective outer coat you see on many industrial items, but in this case drided and somewhat brittle with age. Assuming that to be the case, what is the likely finish underneath, and, why is an experience guy like Ern expressing such dismay. I'm getting the feeling I'm in at the deep end!

Green

You could try vinegar first. If that doesn't cut it then try turps, which won't affect the finish if it's shellac. For the same reason avoid methylated spirits or thinners.

Sounds like a job for "U BEAUT polish reviver" available at a store near you.

Soundman's right it really does sound like the ideal job for our Polish Reviver. However it isn't available in the UK and we can't mail it to you.

Get yourself a good polish reviver from Libron or one of the other polish manufacturers over there and give it a good bath with that. Shouldn't hurt anything. Will probably fix the problem or let you know if you need to go the whole hog. ie: strip and repolish.

Cheers - Neil

Neil,

Sutherland Shire is south Sydney.

Cheers

Yep, Sutherland - Sydney.
I tried the vinegar and the turps - no joy, but I can still scratch it off with my fingernail. The lounge was made by Van Treight Furniture in Sydney but the last info about them on the web is 1995. No phone listing.

I am convinced that this is not polish build-up but some clear manufacturer applied surface protection. Would the U-bueat polish remover still be a chance and "Where do you get it".

green

Take a look here http://www.ubeaut.com.au/comm1.htm

Cheers