A Durable Tabletop Finish
Wiped-on polyurethane is a surefire way to achieve a beautiful surface

Synopsis: Looking for the perfect finish that will make your kitchen table resist stains, heat, dents and scratches? The obvious choice is polyurethane. But, as Sean Clark explains, many woodworkers dont like the brush-marks and overall plastic appearance that often come with a thick polyurethane finish. His solution is a wipe-on method that builds layer upon layer of thinned polyurethane, for a finish that is all but foolproof.
From Fine Woodworking #171
A kitchen table is subject to more abuse than any other piece of furniture in the house: Heat, liquids, and dropped forks are just a few of the daily assaults this table must withstand. When choosing a finish for a kitchen table, you need something extremely durable. Polyurethane is an excellent choice because it rates highly as a water and solvent barrier, and it also has a high impact resistance.
Traditionally, woodworkers have brushed on polyurethane to obtain a…
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