Wood finish restoration, a question for wood workers?

[5.56Geo]

I screwed the pooch! I need help!

My father in law passed and while going through his possessions my wife found a small wood box she made for him back when she was in 8th grade and she brought it home. While I was cleaning it from all the years of smoke and cigarette tar the finish is now dull and somewhat ashy. It is made from cheap Pine or similar grade wood.

My question, what could I put on it to restore some of the wood luster now that it is clean? Thanks-George

 

[RustVendor]

Id probably use tung oil or linseed or similar, just be aware it will likely change the color of the wood but it sounds like what you want is just something simple to wipe on.

 

[Hamburger Monster]

Photos?

I usually gravitate to boiled linseed oil. Or sometimes the wipe on polyurethane

 

[RustyIron]

Tung or linseed oil will give you a good oil finish. You can add a bit of stain to it if you’re trying to restore color. Wipe it on, wipe it off, let it sit for a week or so to let the oil dry. You can’t rush it. After, you can apply some paste finishing wax.

 

[BubbaLa88]

I would say a spray lacquer, but considering it's age and history ,don't think the spray would stick.
Watco danish oil is what I would use. Its basically a thin varnish,should be available in most paint supply places.

 

[boltstop]

Have you sanded it to bare wood or just cleaned it so that whatever finish was on it still remains?

 

[5.56Geo]

Thanks guys. Here’s a picture of the box after I cleaned it with Lysol wipes. It dried ashy looking. I have not sanded it. It just took a lot of scrubbing to remove 40+ years of cigarette smoke and tar. Interesting enough, I looked and have Linseed oil, Tung oil, and wipe on Minwax Polyurethane. I’m not sure which would be best? I don’t want to sand it, if I don’t have to. I would be happy if it ended up looking like it does in the picture. Thoughts on which to use? Thanks guys.

 

[1029fd]

If you like the current look of it, I'd do a final wipe down with acetone or denatured alcohol using lint free shop towels. Then 4 coats of water based satin polyurethane, light sanding between (do not use steel wool - >400 grit sand paper is best). Make sure to gently use tack cloth after sanding. Best wishes on your project.