1.   A. If there is asbestos on your ceiling, you should not remove any finish that is on top of it, including the popcorn ceiling.

2.   All the old finish must be removed for the semitransparent stain to penetrate.

3.   Chemical paint stripper is the second way to remove old finishes, but they may not remove a stain.

4.   I tired lacquer thinner to remove the finish, without success.

5.   If not, you may have to remove the finish.

6.   If you do that, work carefully to avoid removing the finish with the wax.

7.   Instead of sanding, you can remove the finish with chemical paint remover, but sanding still is needed to reduce those scratches and nicks.

8.   It is effective in removing all finishes, but it attacks and softens plastics.

9.   Once the finish is removed, apply two coats of a semigloss polyurethane varnish.

10.   The old finish was removed with paint remover and I have tried Gel Gloss, but that does not do the job.