Shellac or Lacquer?

[Mimmy]

Hi all,
I recently purchased an old sideboard to restore- I think it's from the 1930s.
there is very little finish left on it - but how do I find out what finish it had originally so I can 'restore' it rather than change the original finish?
Thanks in advance

[Bob38S]

Hi Mimmy and welcome to the forums.

If you take a pad with metho and rub it over some of the finish and it goes sticky and comes off then it is shellac - if it doesn't then it is some other material - try thinners. Remember to try it out in an area that is not obvious.