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Apparently brass cleans well with some sort of lemon juice mix. Not used it myself but seen it done with great results.
The main reason I would strip the top is to get a consistent colour. If you don't remove the existing stain and varnish it will be difficult to match. I guess it could be the varnish that's colouring the piece but usually it's a wood stain that creates the colour and the varnish/polish sits on top. It sounds as though you'd be happy with it being smooth and shiny though so maybe a full restoration is too much.
Airhead
Thanks.
I suspect it's pretty thin veneer too as I don't think it's a high quality piece. I'll be going the wire wool route, definitely. And you think to strip the varnish totally? Rather than just get it smooth?
Not really looking for a piano finish. Was thinking to use Briwax on it, with shellac sanding sealer where it's bare.
Also do you think Autosol is too harsh to clean up metal details? Look like tarnished bronze, might've been brass. Just y'know, I already have some of that for bike bits...