How can I identify the finish on a piece of furniture?

Question

I am refinishing a mahogany table

Answer 1

Need to know what you plan to do. If you plan to strip the old finish you can put anything you want on new. If you plan to repair without stripping then you need to know what the old is only if you plan to use a lacquer (like Deft) which would react with anything other than lacquer. You can put any kind of varnish (oil or water based) over any finish. You want to remove old if you plan to use a Danish oil. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

or it could just be hand rubbed with something like a danish oil or tung oil or linseed oil . If your refinishing it go with what you like or if it's an antique research it. good luck

Answer 3

If it has a real shiny finish, thats a gloss finish
if the clear coat is not so shiny then it's a satin finish