u/rheumatic_robot

Picked up this cabinet and seeking advice on what’s going on with the finish.

I was informed the piece is made by Heywood Wakefield in the 1940s.

I’d love to be able to get rid of this streaky finish it came with.

Any idea what it might be and how best to get rid of it?

Images:
1- top of middle drawer, scraped off a small bit with fingernail to show texture.
2-painted streaky texture on back leg.
3- black circle to mark where i scratched finish again with nail.
4-zoomed in of 3
5-more back leg steaks
6- the whole cabinet
7- the stamp inside one of the drawers

It’s not sticky, but it has a very very dry wax like feeling where it can stick to itself.

When rubbed by hand, it the same level of friction as high gloss paint.

It can be scraped off in the thickest areas, but in the areas where’s it’s been applied smoothly, it’s not really possible.

Some people said it’s the original spray on veneer, others a failed finish. Mostly I just want to know the best way to deal with it.

Thank you!

The previous owner said he got it from a family who bought it in the 60s. I hope this counts as midcentury. If not, I apologize.

I have the original knobs and intend to put those back on soon.

Anyone know anything about this piece?

I picked up this lovely little drawer cabinet combo on fb marketplace today. I could see it in the pictures that it maybe looked a little dry/ in need of oil, but now I can really tell that it has this cream yellow, gummy varnish painted on it.

The person who sold it to me got it from another family who bought it in the 60s.

Whatever this coating is, it’s easy to scratch off, but does anyone know what is it and what might be the best (easiest) way to get it all off?

Image 2 is where I scratched it with my fingernail. Image 3 is the coating on a black background. It sticks to itself and maybe feels waxy?

Then, once it’s off, would it be ok to put this little mineral oil + beeswax combo I use for my cutting boards all over it? Or is there something that would be better?

Edited to add more info re: images