Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Reviving old Shelac

I am trying to revive an old dining room table-top using a Shelac solvent (Behkol). I have done this in the past on some old radio cabinets with okay results.

When I tried it on the table however, the old shelac instantly "buckled up". It reminds me of what paint does with a chemical stripper.

Interestingly the table leaves did not do this - they came out great. Any ideas on why this happened?

My wife & I both spent several days trying to remove all of the old wax from the table. Did we not get it all?

Do I have any options other than removing all the old shellac & starting with a fresh coat?

Thanks!!!

I tend to wonder if at some point in the past the table (not the leaves) was refinished with standard varnish. This would explain the reaction you got, as well as the possibility you didn't get the top completely clean.

It is possible, however, that a coat of standard shellac applied over what you have will resolve the problem, assuming the finish is NOT varnish.

It won't take but a moment to find out, and at a minimal cost. The only alternative if that doesn't work is to strip and refinish.