Originally Posted by irishrose
Glenn's username is just that - Glenn. He's been traveling but he does has a tutorial available here.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-97670-1.htm
I'm going to try Charlee's recommmendation of Howards's Restore A Finish and Feed-n-Wax on mine. Glen isn't fond of this combo because it darkens the wood, but it's what I have here. It did a nice job on a 1930's dressing table, but my 1904 machine's cabinet may need more than this. I know my 1924 cabinet will clean up well, but it's in much better condition.
Glenn and I agree to disagree! ;) Howard's Restor-a-Finish, IF you get the right color, will only "refresh" the exisiting finish and color scratches so they don't show much. It does soften the shellac/varnish as you work with it, so you don't want to let a puddle of it sit, not do you want to leave it wet. Glenn is more of a professional woodworker, and as such has the skills needed to refinish cabinets the "proper" way. When "good enough" will do AND when there's not a massive amount of the original finish gone, Howard's is the best! :)