Reviving Thonet Chair finish?: water-based polyurethane

[CuriousBird]

howdy all, any help would be much appreciated....

I recently picked up a set of Thonet cafe chairs. I'd like to tidy up the finish a little - they don't need to be perfect. In some areas the finish is cracking/peeling, but overall ok.

I assumed they were shellac'd, and therefore it would be an easy job with the usual Metho/Linseed reviver. But it doesn't work! :doh:

I called Thonet Melbourne and they told me that all their finishes have been and are currently "European Water-based Polyurathane".

SO, the question is: can anyone suggest a reviver receipe that might work on WBPU? Acetone/linseed? Turps/linseed? Or am I stuffed? NO WAY can I be bothered stripping these! :o

[hap97]

If you can obtain Howard "Restore-a-Finish, it will work a charm. Then finish with Howard Feed n' Wax.
Link is
http://www.howardproducts.com.au/products/restor-a-finish.htm

Regards
Hap

[CuriousBird]

Thanks for the response Hap :) Think I can find this in Melbourne somewhere, the website claims that it restores urathane so should do the trick. Have you used it before?

For the longterm, was however hoping for a "homemade" recipe ... anyone?

[hap97]

Restore-a-Finish is a modern product and I have used it many times. It produces great looking furniture from old and retired finishes. Often it is only the finish that needs work, and if any finish still remains on the furniture, then this is the product.
hap