Finish on late 20's / early 20's worn wooden banister rail?

[Spitnpolish]

Spouse has wiped off years of accumulated grease and dust - finish worn underneath. Is proposing to touch up with varnish, but to me existing finish looks too soft for varnish, more of a sheen than a shine. I've tried to look up what would have been used. Would it be cellulose lacquer? Shellac? French polish? House is standard 4-bed period semi in a long stretch of similar, aimed by developer at professional middle classes. Speculative development, our impression is trying too look grander than the ones round the corner, but on a budget - maybe he wouldn't have wasted French polish on the handrail?

Any suggestions gratefully received - including where to look for more info.

 

[ThornhillMike]

Toby Newell is your man. Late of this (grown up?) parish...

Floor Sanding - Repairs - Staining - Installation - 25 years experience

Floor sanding, staining, gap filling and finishing for Surrey, London and the home counties. Call 07967157605 to arrange a free quotation today.

newellwoodworks.co.uk

 

[Stevers]

Varnish comes in Satin and Matt finishes - doesn't have to be shiny. I used satin varnish when I refinished ours a few years ago now. Nowadays I use Osmo Oil Wax for furniture and cupboards - although I don't think Toby thinks much of it. The Oil Wax does seem bomb proof, and gives a lovely natural looking finish. Both approaches work for me, but the secret as always in decoration is preparation - and with varnish a good drying day to avoid any chance of milkiness.

 

[LadyArowana]

This thread may help https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/threads/restoring-mahogany-banister.17605/#post-236556

 

[Spitnpolish]

Many thanks Mike - yes, I've seen his name crop up quite a lot in the forums.
Our painter thinks it's just a soft sheen varnish! Maybe I'm overthinking.

Varnish comes in Satin and Matt finishes - doesn't have to be shiny. I used satin varnish when I refinished ours a few years ago now. Nowadays I use Osmo Oil Wax for furniture and cupboards - although I don't think Toby thinks much of it. The Oil Wax does seem bomb proof, and gives a lovely natural looking finish. Both approaches work for me, but the secret as always in decoration is preparation - and with varnish a good drying day to avoid any chance of milkiness.

Thank you Stevers - I was unaware of oil wax, I wonder why Toby doesn't rate it. We started with beeswax furniture polish ('beeswax and carnauba wax blended with natural oils', it says on the tin...) and I've just taken another look. Seems to have worked nicely for now. Interesting to see how long effect lasts.
I'd still like to know what the original finish was - and what the (yellowish) wood is.

 

[Spitnpolish]

This thread may help https://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/threads/restoring-mahogany-banister.17605/#post-236556

Absolutely to our address LadyA! Many thanks for pointing this thread out, really helpful. We had a rather less severe attack of guck to deal with tho' ... must have been heartrending to find your rail in that condition.

 

[LadyArowana]

Absolutely to our address LadyA! Many thanks for pointing this thread out, really helpful. We had a rather less severe attack of guck to deal with tho' ... must have been heartrending to find your rail in that condition.

I have become quite sanguine about these sort of issues, a bit of filth is easily dealt with… although I would have appreciated the scaffolders taking note of the fact the water was shut off to all but the ‘site loo’