What is the best protective finish to put on a hardwood table
by
Linda
+2
the table is red oak with natural finish
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tung oil is still my go-to for protection without sacrificing the feel of natural wood...but it is a project, and it needs to be renewed once or twice a year, depending on how much abuse the table gets.
as far as top-coating, sealing?
de-waxed shellac is the traditional choice.
a water-based polyurethane, however? is a better choice for a home hobbyist. it goes on thin, has good penetration, and it's subtle but sturdy.
Minwax makes a perfectly good one.
I used pure tung oil on my kitchen table, as it is food safe, non-toxic. If you have young kids, I think it is the best for any wood they may chew on, lick, eat off of, ....
I like satin finish epoxy or Varathane spar varnish with paste wax over it when dried.
non-yellowing polycrylic to hold up to everyday use
I have a dining room table that was refinished about 35 years ago by my father. It was his mothers clawfoot dining room table and leaves. I finished it with a number of coats of polyurethane as the top coat. It still looks like he just refinished it. I swear by polyurethane for the most durable finish out there. I just wash it with water and dry it.