Matthew Groves said:

> Is there an easy "flowchart" type way of determining what kind of finish is on
> a plane (or anything for that matter)?
> 
> I think I heard that alcohol will dissolve shellac, but not varnish or poly.
> That mineral spirits will dissolve both varnish and shellac, but not poly.

Alcohol will indeed dissolve shellac, but not varnish (poly is just a kind of
varnish).  Lacquer thinner will dissolve lacquer.  Mineral spirits won't 
dissolve any cured finish (which makes it a good thing to use for cleaning).  
There's no way I know of using solvents to differentiate alkyd varnish,
polyurethane varnish, or water-base varnish from each other once they're
cured.



-----------------------------
Hal Laurent, Baltimore MD, US
laurent@c...