How do I finish a recently stained table?

Try using a sealing wax , instead . It goes on like stain , you paint it on and then wipe it off . It dries hard , not waxy .

Use wipe on polyurathane. We usually pur on 4 or 5 coats, but getting it on is easy. Just let each coat dry thoroughly, sand lightly with a very fine grit sandpaper and use a tack cloth to remove the dust.

Sharon: there is spray polyurethane.

Wipe on poly or use a foam brush.

A great question Sharon! I have sent you some videos!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=How+do+i+add+polyurethane+to+a+table+top+so+brush+marks+don%e2%80%99t+show%3f&qpvt=How+do+i+add+polyurethane+to+a+table+top+so+brush+marks+don%e2%80%99t+show%3f&FORM=VDRE

Use a good brush. Apply thin layers! It should level out on its own. If it doesn't cover perfectly, you'll catch it on the next layer. Resist over-brushing. I usually want perfection, but touching up an area that has even slightly become tacky is a bad idea. Lightly sand after the first layer has dried. Be gentle, but you can sand out a missed drip or brush mark. Try to work where there is little dust -so sand in a different room and remove all dust with a tack cloth or microfiber cloth.

You can always apply another thin layer to get it just right...thick layer with those brush marks is much more difficult to correct. The wipe-on poly is really easy to use but the brush on kind is much more durable. Happy brushing Sharon!

I use steel wool--the finest I can get. You'll have to do more than one coat, but it is worth it for no brush lines.