Patty Slayton wrote, "I found that Formby's Conditioner and Furniture
Refinisher works very well for this, using the technique of 'French
polishing'."  Considering the exorbitant cost of Formby's products,
I suggest you learn the same French polishing technique using shellac,
methanol, and linseed oil.

I use a lint free rag.  An old linen napkin is about the right size;
when folded to 4"x4" it works very well.  It takes a while for the
French polishing rag to get to the right point, but once it is working
right it will last forever.  Store it in a Zip-Lock bag with the air
pushed out.  Keep the same rag going for years at a time.

Most old furniture and pianos had a shellac finish on them even though
they often called it varnish.  You can French polish all the
alligatoring out of the finish.  This is only possible if your old
finish is not cracking off and showing wood in spots.

D.L. Bullock
St. Louis
http://www.thepianoworld.com/