Best Overall
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil Based Topcoat
Runner-up
Varathane 200061H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane
Best Bang For The Buck
Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane
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The right finish on forest not only bring out its born fondness , but it also provides long - term tribute . However , not all finishes are the same , and unlike product are suitable for unlike applications . If you ’re looking for the honorable polish for kitchen board manipulation , consider some specific factor , particularly food safe .
This guide discuss the different character of product available and their individual characteristic to help DIY enthusiasts and novices find the best cultivation for a wood kitchen table . Whether you ’re protect a new piece of article of furniture or reviving an sometime one , the following products have you — and your table — covered .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Finish for Your Kitchen Table
Kitchen anddining room tablerestoration is quite a democratic project , so manufacturers have responded with many different products . The app method acting and the case of finish each ware provides differ , making choosing the right product confusing . authoritative thoughtfulness include the eccentric of finish , its strength , repose of coating , odor , and curing sentence .
Type of Finish
First , memorize about the basic types of wood ending .
When choosing a finish , moot the wood surface you intend to practice it on and the impact the finish will have on their colour . Softwoods , such as pine , have a much more open grain than a hardwood like oak . If the finishing is acute ( unremarkably vegetable oil and wax ) , it can soak in before the required essence is attain .
Most vegetable oil - basedvarnishes for wood applicationwill yellow more or less with years , but water - base versions usually do n’t . Wax finishes build up a rich patina but can trammel dirt if not cleaned and reapplied regularly — a significant factor for kitchen board that will be used for food prep .
Durability
All the ending mention here have reasonable strength , though waxes and oils take time and elbow grease to build up . Most expert broadly speaking recommend that users reapply oils and wax annually .
Urethane- and polyurethan - base products are the toughest finishes for a kitchen tabular array . Once dry , they can protect against all kinds of spills as well as take a reasonable amount of heat . Polyurethane finishes can last many age without attention .
Varnishes organize a tegument on the aerofoil of the Grant Wood . Because high - gloss versions can look a little like plastic , satin is a democratic choice . Any chip shot or moolah are more obvious than in Sir Henry Wood regale with fossil oil and wax , which imbue into the caryopsis . To avoid a “ milky ” discoloration , a varnish must be put on correctly . Try a test patch in an unobtrusive surface area , such as on the underside of the tabletop , before software .
Ease of Application
Polyurethane varnish is the immediate and easiest way to finish a kitchen board . Most course well when brush on and leave few , if any , marks . Though it ’s important to follow the manufacturer ’s educational activity carefully , in good order finishing a kitchen tabular array broadly speaking want two to four coats of varnish .
Waxes and oils are ordinarily apply with a fabric or brush . They require more physical sweat , though modern formulations are easier to work with than traditional product .
Cleanup is another consideration . If using crude oil - based products , the brushes must be cleaned with solvents . Take maintenance when throwing away used textile , as they may pose a flaming risk . Some crude finishes , such as linseed crude oil , which is often used onwood furniture , can combust spontaneously , so pay cheeseparing tending to any manufacturer warnings . Water - base kitchen table finishes do n’t amaze the same risk , and cleanup want only dish soap and water supply .
Photo: depositphoto.com
Odor and Curing Time
Always see safety when applying any finish . Oil - based varnishes , in particular , may have a strong , unpleasant smell and can make giddiness or respiratory trouble . Carry out the workplace in a well - ventilated area . In add-on to some form of respiratory protection , wear down goggles or safety glasses and panther ’s baseball glove .
cure time varies widely . Polyurethanes dry comparatively quickly , but it still can take several minute . Some can be recoated in a couple of time of day , while others recommend 24 hours before applying a 2nd coat . If dust or dirt is in the zephyr during this time , it can make up into the damp surface and ruin the finish . attempt to work in a scatter and vacuumed area that can be closed off afterward .
wax and oils typically must dry overnight before the app of additional coat to allow them to infiltrate wood surfaces and provide maximum auspices . Oil coating can take several days to fully cure .
Photo: amazon.com
Our Top Picks
The previous section furnish worthful information to help users understand the key feature of the best close for kitchen tables . All the following Cartesian product are invent by well - honour blade .
General Finishes Arm - R - Seal is a urethane resin that can be wiped on with a cloth or applied with a froth brush to leave a professional finish . It dry very hard to produce a durable , stain - resistant barrier . The satin appearance is enjoyably tender without the unnatural shine of some varnish . In fact , the finish impart a slightly orange glow that may be more obvious on light wood surface .
Because Arm - R - Seal is oil based , apply it in a well - vent area . It is also combustible and toxic while liquidness , though food for thought - safe when ironical . Once dry , it normally provide several years of auspices .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Arm - universal gas constant - Seal overcoat atAmazonor atThe Home Depot .
Varathane ’s water - ground polyurethane can be touch ironical in as little as 30 minutes and is quick for a 2nd pelage after 2 hours . The result is a concentrated , scratch- and soil - resistant coating . Available in both gloss or satin finishes , it does n’t bear the yellowing sometimes associate with oil - based polyurethanes , which imply the original color of the forest demonstrate through . Plus , it tolerate for fuss - liberal cleanup .
Get the Varathane polyurethane atAmazonor atThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
This Minwax product has the toughness affiliate with a traditional crude oil - based Cartesian product , but it ’s more eco - well-disposed and easier to clean up .
Its odor is n’t as strong as oil - based polyurethanes , although good external respiration is still necessary . utilise the cultivation with a synthetical brush , foam pad , or lambswool applicator . It can be recoated in 4 to 6 hours . For maximum aegis , three coats are required .
Minwax oil - modified polyurethane last is usable as gloss , semi - gloss , or satin . Purchase it in a variety of sizes , from ½ pint to 1 Imperial gallon .
Photo: walmart.com
Get the Miniwax polyurethane atAce Hardware .
Best Oil
HOPE’S 100% Pure Tung Oil, Wood Finish for Furniture
Tung oil has been used to keep woodwind for several thousand class ; however , lower - calibre products often contain additives and solvents . HOPE ’S tung oil is a 100 percent unadulterated , innate product .
HOPE ’S tung oil is an excellent finish for bare hardwood , but solitaire is want . Apply it with a cloth , wiping in a little at a fourth dimension , a method that allows the oil to penetrate and enhance the cereal . Drying time takes about 12 hour , and several coats may be required to develop a protective shininess . ruined surfaces are protect from water , alcoholic drink , and vegetable and fruit Zen . This product is not recommended for use on softwoods unless they are first sealed to prevent excessive absorption .
Get the HOPE ’S tung fossil oil onAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Wax
Howard Products Wax-It-All Food Safe Wax
A wax finale brings a raw beauty and warmheartedness to furniture , has a pleasant feel , and smell good . Howard ’s Food - Grade Wax combine carnuba for hardness with beeswax and innate mineral oils for nourishment and a pleasant aroma . app is prosperous : Simply chafe it in with a soft cloth , then buff it to an attractive sheen .
Wax finishes take time to ramp up up and are n’t as baffling as polyurethan . While they can protect against Clarence Day - to - day tumble , live beverages or pans will impart snowy ringing . As a issue , wax finishes are perhaps best for woods kitchen tables that are n’t subjugate to heavy use .
Howard ’s Food - Grade Wax is safe in all food impinging area , include butcher block open . It also can be used to slick up up administration , pig , marble , and a kind of other materials .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Howard Products wax onAmazon .
Best Wipe-on Poly
Minwax Water-Base Wipe-On Polyurethane 16fl oz
Minwax Wipe - On Polyurethane deliver the appearance of a paw - rub finish — normally link with wax or oils — but with the huskiness of polyurethane . It ’s water based , allowing for easy cleanup spot . While its odour is not as unassailable as some other products , it should be applied in a well - ventilated area .
To apply it , but pour it onto a cloth and pass over it onto the Mrs. Henry Wood kitchen mesa . However , precaution is required to produce an even finish , so using it is not as tight as skirmish - on products . Although Minwax claims this rub - on poly is “ extremist - degenerate drying , ” it requires 2 to 3 hours between coats and 24 hour to cure completely .
Get the Miniwax rub - on polyurethan onAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Also Consider
Grizzly Industrial H2372 – Good Stuff Wood Finish
Grizzly Industrial ’s oil - establish urethane gel is designed to offer a high spirit level of protection to previously bare kitchen mesa , particularly maple . Apply it in the same easy manner as wipe - on poly , though it ’s somewhat thick . While it ’s relatively low odour , adequate ventilation is still authoritative .
Synthetic oils were added during manufacture to speed dry , though it still take around 4 hour between coats . Three coat are recommend for maximum protection . Penetration is minimum , and when you ’ve finished applying it , the coming into court is much like that of coppice - on polyurethan . The finis is resistant to water , alcoholic drink , and most solvents .
Get the Wood Welded forest culture onAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Our Verdict
For a honest wood finish that covers ample open area and lasts for years on your wooden table , we recommend theGeneral Finishes topcoat . This wood finish is discolouration - resistant and tight - move , with a satin finish that is secure for usage around eating areas and food . Alternatively , theMinwax polyurethane finishis a budget - friendly pick that come with ample quantity for multiple applications or large surface areas . It heal in just 2 60 minutes with multiple app types and last for your wooden mesa .
How We Chose the Best Finishes for Kitchen Tables
We researched the most sought - after wood finishes for kitchen tables in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are see by their type , relief of software , curing metre , compatibility with multiple open , and other special feature of speech included by top brands .
While searching for the best finishes for woodwind tabular array , the most popular types among users were the urethane , polyurethane , wax , and wipe - on options with their easy to moderate app and speedy drying times . While many option require multiple program , many of these top pick in full cure in 2 to 24 60 minutes and last for years between applications . Multiple wood finishes and quantities are offered for select finishes like satin and semi - gloss , with options that are suited for untreated and deal table and materials .
FAQs
Questions may linger about choosing thebest ending for your wooden mesa . Keep read to find some of the most normally involve questions about finishes along with their reply .
Q: How do I seal my wood table?
Q: Can I apply a polyurethane coat over a painted surface?
Yes . polyurethan can be used over almost any blusher surface that ’s been properly prepare . Generally , the painted surface must be cleaned and abraded .
Q: Is it safe to use polyurethane on a kitchen table?
Yes . According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , once they are in full heal , polyurethane are secure around food .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . ascertain why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
