would that faux leather be just a build up of old varnish, etc.? Old finishes can look like that if the piece isn't cleaned between applications of varnish or shellac?

very happy you said REsTOREd....people think they need to strip it down and refinish it...so sad...the natural patina is always so much nicer to look at!

Thank you!!! You must have been reading my mind. Seeing all the restored machines has inspired me to "revive" the finish on my grandmother's treadle machine. It still work beautifully.

I had no idea where to look for this information and I knew I didn't want to "strip" off the original finish.

Will this work on an old oak treadle cabinet that is from 1882? The finish is blistered and comes off as you rub your fingers on it. so I have taken the finish off and lightly sanded it.It's so pretty now. do I just wax it now or do I put some kind of shelack on it?Thanks in advance for any help Mary

Yes, they can be cleaned with this method. Just don't rub to hard over the painted fruit. This should solve the sticky problems. Just apply a coat of wax as per instructions to protect the chairs. Have fun cleaning. Glenn

If it is not leather, try a foam cleaner(fabric spot cleaner) or you can take dish soap and a little water and sponge. Dip the sponge in the soap mixture and massage several times until the sponge is very foaming but not dripping wet and rub lightly. The only problem with the old faux leather is they are sometimes not color fast so if you see a lot of color on the sponge stop. So test a small spot first. If it bleeds on the sponge, take corn starch and sprinkle thickly covering the whole thing and let set for several days then vacuum off. I really could use a good picture. If it turns out to be real leather I have a potion for that two. Glenn

I could be what we call aligatored finish. The shellac could be grazed and crinkly from extreme heat. If this is the case after cleaning the piece, take a rag with denatured alcohol and rub the spot and if the finish soften continue until the area is smooth again. Now you must to the whole side by rubbing with alcohol to blend the area together. If this meets your approval apply a very thin coat of shellac to the area then rub down the side with oooosteel wool and paste wax to take the new look off.

The shellac should be applied to the entire side to blend.

Bless you, Glenn! This was just what I was looking for!

Thanks I have just found a potentially beautiful old wood dining table and I have lots of other old things that need spruced up I wanted to find a natural way so as not to harm the original finishes These are on my to-do list if we ever get spring to drop in for more than a day so I can do it outside