We have a dining room table (southern yellow pine) with a lacquer finish. Apparently the finish is breaking down because it is becoming 'sticky'. We were told that we must have used a cleaner with ammonia in it and that it will need to be refinished. Are there any other alternatives?

If your table's finish has turned gummy, then there's not much chance of saving it. If on the other hand, it's something on the finish then you might be able to clean it. We use a mix of Trisodium Phosphate (available at you paint supplier) with a touch of ammonia to remove old crap off existing finishes. Go easy and follow directions on mixing it and you should be OK.

If it's the finish then you'll have to strip and refinish the top.

Good luck.