How to Make Old Wood Look Its Best With Simple Tools

Apply a coat of liquid sander to the old wood with a disposable paintbrush. Let it set for five minutes and wipe the surface with a clean rag. Allow the sander to set for two hours to allow the gloss of the old finish to break down. Wipe the surface again with a second clean rag to remove dirt and grime.

Soak quad zero steel wool in odorless mineral spirits. Put on heavy rubber gloves. Scrub the surface of the wood with the steel wool, working with the grain. Add more mineral spirits as required to remove the rest of the grime from the surface. Allow the mineral spirits to dry completely.

Wet a rag with boiled linseed oil, available in paint departments, and wipe it onto the surface of the wood liberally to restore the wood's natural moisture content. Wipe oil onto the entire surface of the wood. Allow it to dry for one hour. Apply a second coat using the same technique.

Allow the linseed oil to dry to the touch. Dampen a rag and rub furniture wax into it. Rub the surface of the wood with the waxed rag, spreading the wax evenly across the surface. Continue adding wax until the wood is covered. Allow the wax to dry to a haze, then buff with fresh rag.

Apply a second coat of wax using the same technique. Allow the wax to dry to a haze, then buff vigorously until the wax shines to a medium gloss finish. Clean the wood with mineral spirits when the wax dulls, and apply a new coat of wax, buffing it to a clear shine.