[Tgace459]

Folks,

I'm starting on the restoration of a 40-195 that was donated to me.

[Image: http://i.imgur.com/l2AQ2cE.jpg]

After a very cursory cleaning it looks like most of the finish is still fairly good.

[Image: http://i.imgur.com/ldYONhS.jpg]

Now...my experience with cabinet work so far has been entirely dealing with complete refinishing. Stripping, sanding, etc. etc. I haven't attempted a restoration of an existing finish.

Some of the "issues" I have with this existing cabinet are.

• Some chips of veneer are missing along the back edges. I'm considering a color matching wood fill and stain painting of grain.
  
• Some pits in the wood on the front and sides....same solution as above?
  
• A couple of spots on the top where it looks like someone set a cigarette.
  
• Scratches/gouges in the wood along the bottom.
  

I'm reading different advice around the internet. Clean it with some goop, deal with the veneer (either patching or filling), use gel stain to cover scratches and then top coat with choice of finish (lacquer, shellac, Oil, etc).

I'm seeing some advice to reflow the finish with thinner or alcohol depending on the original finish.

In the end I'm looking for some advice so I can decide how to proceed.

Thanks!