[Arran]

I would try a little lacquer thinner and 0000 steel wool elsewhere on the cabinet, other then the front panel, to see if you can remove that clearcoat. Try a dab or two at a time to see if it will soften. You could also try alcohol in the same manner, alcohol will remove shellac but not damage the lacquer under it. If it's varnish that they painted on there you will be a world of H**l trying to get it off without stripping it down to bare wood.
Regards
Arran