# Identifying wood finish

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-wood-finish/638799>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 25, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-wood-finish/638799 "2012-10-25T04:27:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-wood-finish/638799/1 "2012-10-25T04:27:00Z")

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My father wants me to refinish a dining table he bought from someone. Unfortunately, I don’t know what to use to remove the current one or how to identify it. I came across chemical tests, using acetone or denatured alcohol, but I don’t want to spend any extra money if I don’t have to. Also,. I came across a coin test where if the finish flaked it was one type and if there was resistance, it was another type. However, one [site](http://www.ehow.com/how_8420961_tell-finish-lacquer-polyurethane.html) says varnish while another [site](http://voices.yahoo.com/refinishing-wood-finding-out-sealant-was-used-6882134.html?cat=6) says lacquer

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Very thin veneer?

A search popped up a similar table, different size but same chairs:

[http://www.cymax.com/Coaster-Damen-Rectangle-Leg-Dining-Table-in-Warm-Natural-and-White-Wood-Finish-4147.htm?Src=PLA&SrcID=5156276&ci\_src=17588969&ci\_sku=362459&gclid=CM3Bopynm7MCFQuCQgodMWoA6Q](http://www.cymax.com/Coaster-Damen-Rectangle-Leg-Dining-Table-in-Warm-Natural-and-White-Wood-Finish-4147.htm?Src=PLA&SrcID=5156276&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=362459&gclid=CM3Bopynm7MCFQuCQgodMWoA6Q)

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**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-wood-finish/638799/2 "2012-10-25T14:42:22Z")

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Small amounts of acetone can be bought very cheaply as fingernail polish remover. That should be a good diagnostic for you.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-wood-finish/638799/3 "2012-10-25T15:01:49Z")

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The coin tests will distinquish between polyurethane and other finishes. Fingernail polish is a good way to find out if it’s a finish that will come off easily, but it’s most urethane, which requires a strong stripper and/or sanding to remove.