Identify french polish

[fredbare]

Can someone tell me how to identify if a peice of furniture is french polished, I have a table that has been badly marked by placing warm articles on it , even when protected by a blanket under a table cloth? The marks have the imprint of the blanket, I want to know if this is french polish, and how to go about possibly stripping it and starting from scratch with either a new french polish or polyurethane finish, what is the best way to remove the old finish, thanks?

[joez]

Try rubbing the finish with methylated spirts if some of the finish comes off if its french polished.

If you rub with paint thinners and the finish comes of its probably a lacquer finish.

U-Beaut make a polish reviver thats worth trying as well: http://www.ubeaut.com.au/reviver.html (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/reviver.html)

good luck

joez

[fredbare]

Thanks joez, I tried the U Beaut polish reviver, it doesn't look as bad, but not what I'd like it to look, will try the metho and see what happens.

[AlexS]

Try a dab of metho on an unobtrusive part first. If it goes sticky it's shellac (French polish). To remove the old stuff, use 0000 steel wool and plenty of metho. Use lots of paper towels to clean up and try not to get the metho where it's not needed.