Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/16/2008

Question
Hello Eileen....I striped a 1940 dressing table chair down to the bare wood and stained it red mahogany (minwax brand stain). It turned out great and the color of the chair matches the dressing table perfectly.

I don't know what to "finish" the chair with...shellac, varnish or lacquer because I don't understand the differences. I tried the Internet but to many articles discuss the differences in technical language.

The dressing table still has a gloss to it even after 67 years. I'm guessing they used either shellac or varnish in 1940. Any suggestions? Which is best/easiest/etc. (the table and chair won't be used...just for show)

Answer
Hi Bernard
Nice to hear from you.
If you have the chair color matched perfectly, it would be nice if you could match the finish.
I suspect this 1940's dressing table will have a lacquer finish, so why not the same on the chair?
All the different finishes can be confusing I know.
Personally I don't use a lot of lacquer but Minwax makes a brushing lacquer that you could try.
I think I would do a small test to see what finish is on the dressing table first though.
Its easy. Rub a bit of lacquer thinner (from the hardware and very cheap) on a hidden area of the dressing table.
It will remove a lacquer finish. Not shellac or varnish.
To test for a shellac finish do the same with denatured alcohol.
The alcohol will soften shellac. It won't soften lacquer or varnish.
I doubt the set has varnish, but as you may know, paint stripper removes all three finishes. Lacquer thinner and alcohol will not remove varnish.
And if you feel totally out of your league with finishes, use tung oil as the finish.
Its wiped on with a rag and is fool proof..thats why its the finish of choice for me LOL.
Three coats will give you a nice shine.
It sounds like this set could be birch if it took the stain so well and you got such a good match in color.
Good Luck and great question.
Get back to me if this is not 100% clear
Regards
Eileen