New Collector- first console

Hello denizens of the acoustic world. After developing an appreciation for sound after years of piano, violin, viola, music theory, and some amateur voice acting, I decided I wanted to experience analog music. Obviously this kind of collecting is a bit on the rare side, with plenty of expense in between. So I have started modestly with a gutted cabinet from the 1940's and hope to do something with it. It was on the street, and it is such a solid piece of furniture, with applications for other things even if this doesn't work out. But I need help, starting with refurbishing the cabinet.

It's a Magnavox Regency Symphony with the diamond patterned grate on "double doors", the type with one functional door for a radio and a lid for the turntable. Here are the stats:
MODEL 155B
SERIAL 33712
STYLE c101-21
All mechanical parts are fine, the metal plaques are still in place, the logo under the lid is unblemished, the fabric door backing is unripped, and even the original price tag is still stapled to the back. This was obviously a piece that woke up one morning missing its kidneys. The whole cabinet is structurally sound, but I need to know what the varnish is to do touch up on the exterior. There are some chips and dents and a gentle crackle in the finish expected after 70 years of aging. I know it reacts violently with ethyl alcohol (I accidentally left a soaked cotton rag on it; stuff FUSED parts of the rag to the surface and discolored it!). Other than that all I can say is that it smells like a museum warship. Will appreciate any help. Happy to join the community!