What finish for kitchen table?

[BrentDH]

An extended family member is refinishing a kitchen table and asked my advice for a durable finish. She had considered a minwax polycrylic product because that is what is easy to find in a big box store. I suggested she do an internet search on arm r seal, but I am concerned that it’s application can be kind of finicky.  Is there a DURABLE, EASY TO APPLY brush on finish that a relative amateur could be successful with that I should recommend?

[jteneyck]

An extended family member is refinishing a kitchen table and asked my advice for a durable finish. She had considered a minwax polycrylic product because that is what is easy to find in a big box store. I suggested she do an internet search on arm r seal, but I am concerned that it’s application can be kind of finicky.  Is there a DURABLE, EASY TO APPLY brush on finish that a relative amateur could be successful with that I should recommend?

Rubio Monocoat or Osmo PolyOx are extremely easy to apply.  No brush required.  Just use a small piece of a white non-woven pad.  You need to get back to raw wood, however, to use either product.  Both products are very durable, and easy to repair if required down the road.  

Otherwise, Arm-R-Seal is my choice for easy to apply and durable.  Wipe it on, scuff sand between coats.  Or apply the first coat thinned 25% with mineral spirits, then switch to wiping on full strength. 

Polycrylic is a distant 10th in durability.  

John