Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Refurbish Mahogany Dressing Table

The end of a mahogany dressing table has been in front of a window for 60 years. The lacquer finish is crazed. Other areas of the table have had the lacquer removed - likely from perfumes, etc.

How can I best preserve the 'patina' of the top, yet remove the badly crazed and finished removed areas.

Thanks.

Charlie.

Clean the top as best you can with VM&P Naphtha. This is a petroleum product that will cut grease, oil, dirt, etc, leaves no residue of its own, and will not harm the finish.

You may be able to partially restore the crazed area by lightly brushing on a 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner. The brush should be damp with this mixture, not wet - brush carefully with long even strokes and reload the brush as needed.

A modern lacquer finish can be applied directly over the current finish. No need to strip or sand, as long as the surface is clean (step 1, above).

Thank you for the prompt reply and advise. Will try.

Charlie.