Why would you use lemon oil? Lemon oil is a polish, not intended as a finish. As you have found out, it never dries. Using an oil to bring out the natural color and grain of the wood is what I do, but you have to use a product that is intended as a finish. I use a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Then when dry, I use Deft semi gloss spray lacquer. Always read the label. If it say polish or cleaner, it is not a wood finsh!