Now that the scaffolding is up, I’ve been able to successfully carry out a light clean with weak soapy water and carry out small tests with both nail varnish remover and methylated spirit in an inconspicuous corner to confirm that the pine planked ceiling in my early Victorian chapel is stained with a dark shellac. I will now be able to clean the whole ceiling and repair/touch up where necessary. The half dozen cross supporting beams however. have not responded to any of the above tests and on close inspection I am of the belief that these are simply painted with a flat dark chocolate brown Victorian paint. These beams will need touching up in places. Can anybody advise what type of paint this might be, can you still purchase it and if not is there a good modern equivalent to achieve the Victorian chocolate brown finish?