Are the black 301's shellacked or varnished?
 

I am looking at a beautiful black 301 that has some light scratches around the needle area and onto the folding part of the bed, and was wondering what it would take to minimize them. I'm aware of the fine instruction sticky for machine restoration, but just need to know what finish the 301 has.

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*** Hope you get some responses, because I need to know also.
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*** Picked one up at a tiny thrift store near me for $35. this week end.
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Oooh--I'm looking at $200 + shipping on CL. You were really lucky!

You can test to see what finish is on the black 301. Find a spot that will not show and apply denatured alcohol with a Q-tip and let sit a minute if it becomes tacky it is shellac and if it remains hard it is lacquer. If you have some acetone try that and if it gets soft it is lacquer.