I have a deconstructed shipping crate that I believe was made in Afghanistan in the 1950’s — likely out of Afghani pine. Neighbors of a friend of mine, who had been diplomats back in the day, gave her this stack of pine out of their garage when they moved, and it is now in my garage after she donated it to my cause. (I’m assuming it is pine. It might also be fir or spruce.)

Many of the boards have the old paint with bits and pieces of words and numbers, no doubt from shipping and making sure it got to the right place. I’m making a sewing table out of the stuff and I need a solid surface I can wipe and cut on etc., but if I follow the standard process — sand, poly, sand, etc — I’m going to erase the story of the wood, and let’s face it… if it wasn’t for the story, this would probably be firewood with all the dings and splits and nail holes etc.  

So… I don’t want to sand all of that off. Has anyone else had any experience with using epoxy, perhaps, to apply a finish that preserves the history painted on wood?  I’m thinking epoxy because that will also fill in and smooth out the damaged bits.

Is epoxy the right way to go? Any other options that I should consider?  A specific epoxy product to use?   Process adjustments from the manufacturers instructions?  Any guidance would be appreciated.

***

For context, I inherited my dad’s workshop when he died. I worked with him regularly enough to have decent instincts, but not so regularly (or with any intentional instruction from him) to know what I am doing with any confidence.  Mostly, I know the first rule of woodworking: don’t get blood on the tools.  

Also, just because I don’t know anyone else who will appreciate this: this pine, when cut, smells like an old school sauna.  It’s something special.