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Saw a really old finish on a chair at the antique mall in Bakersfield

It was this dark red color that looked almost black in the light, and the surface felt like wax but didn't rub off. I'm trying to figure out if it's an old shellac mix or maybe a varnish with something added to it. Has anyone run into a finish like this before and know how to test it?
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3 Comments
simong79
simong7928d ago
Did it smell like old furniture at all?
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gibson.mark
gibson.mark28d agoTop Commenter
The old furniture smell is a total myth, simong79. That specific musty odor comes from mold or damp wood in poorly stored pieces, not age itself. A well kept antique in a dry home just smells like clean wood and maybe a little polish. People blame the age when they should blame the storage conditions.
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shanegibson
Mark's totally right about that old furniture smell being a storage issue! My own couch proves his point, since it mostly smells like my dog and spilled coffee. Sorry to disappoint anyone hoping for a classic antique scent, @simong79. A clean, dry piece just has that nice wood smell, not a time machine in a bad way. Guess my living room needs better storage conditions too, just for my modern mess!
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