What's the finish on this tabletop?

[Reallytrying]

Can anyone tell me what they think the finish is on this coffee table?
I think the outer section is solid wood but suspect the middle section is veneer. Part of the middle section is water damaged and has blistered.

Any suggestions for repairing the finish will be gratefully received.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Part of the middle section is water damaged and has blistered.

Where is has blistered, inject some PVA wood glue, and leave it with a plastic bag, topped with something to even out the load of a weight, then a heavy weight placed on top. Leave to set, then sand it.

 

[Wayners]

If you rub with meths then that will take wax off.
Will also take off waterbased varnish.
Just look at rag to see what comes off.

I think it's probably bees wax although it could be oil.
All the tables from Oakland are waxed

 

[Reallytrying]

If you rub with meths then that will take wax off.
Will also take off waterbased varnish.
Just look at rag to see what comes off.

I think it's probably bees wax although it could be oil.
All the tables from Oakland are waxed

I tried meths and this had no effect.
The finish definitely isn't wax because it's flaky.
I just tried acetone and this was really effective. Am I right in thinking this indicates the finish is either lacquer or shellac?

 

[Reallytrying]

Where is has blistered, inject some PVA wood glue, and leave it with a plastic bag, topped with something to even out the load of a weight, then a heavy weight placed on top. Leave to set, then sand it.

The blistered area is in the middle section of the table is veneer so I can't sand it.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The blistered area is in the middle section of the table is veneer so I can't sand it.

If you can get the veneer stuck back down, and flat - you should be able to carefully/gently take some of the surface off with a sander.

 

[opps]

I tried meths and this had no effect.
The finish definitely isn't wax because it's flaky.
I just tried acetone and this was really effective. Am I right in thinking this indicates the finish is either lacquer or shellac?

Cellulose will break down spray lacquers. Not sure how it reacts with shellac, but the meths should have softened any shellac (as would household ammonia). Cellulose will also break down any waterbased finishes a lot faster than meths. Acetone will dissolve shellac, it will also remove wax finishes.

I would, like @Wayners , expect it to be a spray on wax finish.

 

[slawit]

I am a sprayer by trade, so can say with some certainty you have a lacquered finish on here, the center section is veneered and the blister should be repaireable by injecting with white wood clue (though cant be 100% sure as we don’t know what the original glue was).

Strip the finish off the entire table using acetone, then sand the table using 180 grit paper on a orbital sander or by hand going with the grain, the area around the repair will have to be sanded and you can sand venerer though obviously you have to be care full, if it’s a good quality table and your veneer will be 1-2mm thick, you will be ok to sand with 180. Putting a finish back on is tricky most ‘brush applied’ designed finishes will leave brush marks, or it’s waxing/oiling if you want a heat-resistant good quality finish, I would go to a local spray shop and get it done professionally