Ok, Im not saying this works for everything.But we had a coffee table that the finish had came off in spots.My hubby took an electric sander ,Not sure what grit paper he used, but he sanded it off. Then he put the poly on for shine and protection.Looked great .As good as new! Maybe that would work but can't say for sure. I know some peices are shaped where it would be impossible to use an electric sander on them.