<HTML>Hi James If the finish on this piano is original (likely) it is French Polish (shella= c).  The shellac is normal but for the addition of what we call 'spirit= black' (in the UK anyway) Spirit black is a powdered pigment  -  a bit like really fine soot= !.  Black French polish is readily available without the need for mixi= ng etc these days. The veneer on black Bechsteins of this vintage is often very poor and 'craze= d'.  I would'nt worry about removing the original finish; getting it al= l flat is the challenge. Regards Rob Thornton </HTML>