Originally Posted by
Horsecroft88
Fly's advice is perfectly sound, but if I can offer a different perspective, a quick question is (a) is it an old one, that is antique or (b) newish and just painted. What I am saying is if old then it is probably made from baltic or at a pinch kauri, whereas if newish than most likely radiata.
If old then I would suggest if you have it and wan't it too look like wood, then stripping back is the best option, fake wood paints used to be around in the '70s though always looked rubbish, no idea if still available. On the other hand if it is a newish one and made from radiata, then if it were me, I wouldn't bother stripping back and perhaps just paint in another colour which pleases you.
I had this spice rack made by my builder for me, using new baltic pine flooring, to which I have since added some old baltic pine lining boards at the rear, and thereafter coated with shellac before finishing off with a coat of Feast Watson floor seal (basically Tung oil and poly mix). I don't have a photo of the finished article and I am yet to re-install it in what will be the pantry, as I still have a a few jobs to finish off in that area of the kitchen.