Even furniture that looks like a hopeless box can be recovered by dissolving the cracked shellac surface with denatured alcohol. Be sure to test the part first. Identify the type of finish. Most furniture made before 1920 had a protective shellac finish. Over time, shellac darkens, cracks, and must be removed. Chemical strippers can be too harsh for this project, so use denatured alcohol instead. Soak up the shellac and dissolve the finish so it can be cleaned. Note: This technique will not affect the polyurethane, which forms a plastic-like coating that must be sanded. Old varnish or shellac can be identified by a cracked black finish. Cracking occurs with age and changes in temperature. Polyurethane does not deteriorate in this way.
Begin the stripping process by laying down lots of newspapers to protect the floor from drips and spills. Wear rubber gloves and keep an extra pair on hand in case the originals get too sticky from the dissolved shellac. Make sure you work in a well ventilated area. Remove drawers or doors and repair separately. Unscrew all accessories, knobs and hinges, repeat if necessary.
Always work in a horizontal plane. For a good amount of denatured alcohol on the surface. Use paper towels to gently spread the rubbing alcohol. Wait several minutes for the alcohol to soak into the finish. Wipe off alcohol and dissolved finish with paper towels. Apply more rubbing alcohol as needed for stubborn areas. A soft brush is helpful for removing stubborn stains. Make sure the color is uniform. Repeat the same process for the faces of the drawers. Position the end drawers so that the faces of the drawers are horizontal. Do this for the front and sides of the furniture as well.
Once all old furniture finish has been removed, use a solution of water and a mild detergent to wash all treated surfaces and make sure they are clean. Dry the surfaces with a clean cloth. If desired, repeat the surface with fine steel wool to smooth the grain. Then use a small brush or clean cloth to remove the last bits of steel wool from the wood.
Apply several coats of antique oil finish to the surface of the wood, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour in a small amount of working oil and spread each layer of oil evenly over the wood surface with a clean, lint-free cloth. With the exception of the last coat of oil, lightly buff the furniture surface with steel wool after each coat of oil dries.
Remove old finish before fixing any loose teeth, scratches or accessories. But be careful not to repair the surface so much that it loses its fine, aged character and individuality. Repair and polish broken or tarnished accessories, or replace with reproductions to complete the revival.
Before restoring, make sure the furniture is in good structural condition. If there are matching pieces, treat them the same. Even furniture that includes small raised details can be gently restored with the help of a brush. To remove old finish from hard-to-reach surfaces, use a soft toothbrush. It easily fits in small nooks and crannies. Let the alcohol soak in well to dissolve the finish.