How do I paint a heavily-used kitchen table?

Check out RustOleum enamel paint. It is oil based so it can get "sticky" or "gummy" during application but holds up really well. I used one on a porch rocker 2 years ago, it sits in the weather and the cat jumps all over it (think claws) and it still looks like a new paint job.

You can use any good paint and a waterproof sealer. Prep is the key to the. finish lasting.

I used acrylic paint and sealed it with urethane. It’s holding up well except for where people put their feet on the base (it’s a pedestal). I would recommend an oil base but no matter what you use where feet will regularly touch it will wear. The top of my table however is wearing just fine.