My DH brought me home a garage sale find---a big black chest. It was pretty ugly and I was less than thrilled! When I opened it I discovered that it was a cedar chest. Got to work with the stripper (STRIP-EZE back then) and after a week or so of hard work, ended up with a BEAUTIFUL cedar chest...The smell came back and we have it to this day.
It will be worth it! Take your time.
I did the work in our garage...but it is cold in Ontario now.....might want to wait until spring unless you have a heated garage.