art deco vanity finish?

[roxy]

Hi,I am bringing back to life a beaut art deco ,figured veneer,vanity dresser. Haven't got a clue what the finish is, it's not shellac,stripper creates a gluey caramel mess, that dosn't remove much at all. Metho doesn't do much, nor does turps.Is it an old laquer? do I need lacquer thinner?I'm only refinishing melted area on top.What should I refinish with to match up with the rest . Shellac?

[JB]

I've encountered this same stuff on pieces made early to mid last century. I've been told it's a varnish/shellac mixture. Remove what you can with the paint stripper then wash the rest off with thinners. Let the thinners sit on it to dissolve it. Use coarse steel wool if necessary. I'd refinish with shellac, as you suggested. You may neeed to stain it first to match the colour otherwise I suspect it will be a fair bit lighter. I'd use a Wattyl fade resisting spirit stain. Teak is a good natural brown colour that suits a lot old pieces like yours.

[roxy]

Thanks JB, I'll persevere it will be worth the effort.
Roxy .