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How to Determine if a Finish Is Lacquer or Shellac

When refinishing an item of furniture or other wooden surfaces, the previously applied finish should be determined ahead of time, before attempting to remove it. This way, you'll know what supplies are needed for the job. Common types of finish used on wood are shellac and lacquer. Fortunately, these two finishes happen to be easy to remove, as little effort is required. You can remove a shellac finish by using denatured alcohol and a lacquer finish by using lacquer thinner.

Things You'll Need

Denatured alcohol
Lacquer thinner
Clean cloths or rags

Instructions

- 1
  Dampen a clean cloth with a small amount of denatured alcohol. Apply the denatured alcohol to a small area of the furniture or other wooden surface, by wiping in a circular pattern.
- 2
  Observe the reaction of the finish on the wood. If you see the finish begin to liquefy, then your surface has a shellac finish. If the finish becomes soft but does not completely dissolve, then it has a mix of shellac and lacquer.
- 3
  Dampen another clean cloth or a rag with the lacquer thinner. Apply the lacquer thinner on a small area of the surface, in a circular motion.
- 4
  Observe the reaction on the finish. If the finish begins to dissolve and liquefy, then the piece of furniture has a lacquer finish.

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