TubeNet

I just bought an old Martin baritone off of eBay. When I gave it a bath and pulled it out of the tub, the lacquer suddenly started flaking off. I have been scrubbing it with a sponge for a few hours now, and the stuff is still coming off. Any solutions on how I can get it to stop flaking? (maybe to get it all off quickly?)
Thanks

If hot water started the moult, maybe more hot water would finish the job ?