Kitchens are the heart of every home, so selecting the best finish for wood kitchen table fixtures can be crucial. You may not know, but not all finishing products will give you the same output or suit the same wood surfaces.
To ensure that your wooden kitchen tables get a perfectly smooth finish instead of a chemically damaged surface, here are tested product recommendations from our resident woodworkers.
Reviews of the Top Finishes For a Wood Kitchen Table
1. General Finishes GAHS Satin Finish
If your kitchen table has a dark wooden surface, General Finishes GAHS Satin Finish should suit its staining needs. All you need to do is apply three thin coats of this solution, and it will give your wood furniture a very durable finish, thanks to its UV stabilizer.
As long as the humidity is over 80 percent, this finishing solution will dry fast on the wood grain. During our hands-on experience, we didn’t have an issue applying it using a foam brush or spraying.
Unlike other wood finishes, it retains the material’s natural beauty and protects the furniture surface from food damage.
What We Like
- Suitable wood finishes for a kitchen or dining table
- Extremely durable for floor applications
- It protects the painted surface from sunlight
- Chemical and water resistant
- The solution dries in clear colors
- Retains the material’s natural beauty
- Easy to dry on wood grains
What We Don't Like
- Best used within a year of storage
- Not suitable for an outdoor wooden kitchen table
2. Wood Welded Good Stuff Wood Finish
Safety is crucial when applying wood finishing solutions on a dining table, so it’s always wise to choose non-toxic options like Wood Welded Good Stuff. Although it is in a higher price range than others, it is a durable wood finish that dries fast and requires no brushing.
And given its tint, our resident woodworkers highly recommend applying this finish on a maple-colored wooden kitchen table. It also gives unfinished wood surfaces a low sheen effect, so the protective coating does not appear cheap or too shiny.
Besides wood tables, this product can also give wooden bowls and utensils a soft and smooth finish.
What We Like
- Best used in maple-colored dining room tables
- Only needs 30 minutes between the first & second coat
- Low sheen effect on the wooden table
- No brushing required
- Applicable to wooden bowls and kitchen utensils
What We Don't Like
- Not suitable for finished wood tables
- It will leave brush marks when not applied in lighter coats
3. Minwax Wood Finish
The best finishes for wood kitchen table furnishings need not be expensive because affordable products like Minwax Oil Finishes can give you what you need. As an oil-based poly satin finish, it will furnish your antique kitchen table with a trendy and modern-looking sheen.
After the final coat, you must wait for at least 4 to 6 hours, and the kitchen table should be ready for recoating.
Once the oil-based solution is cured into the wood table, it can withstand changing weather conditions and frequent harsh usage. It’s a quality product at a budget price.
What We Like
- Available in gloss & semi-gloss finish variations
- Suitable for raw and varnished wood furnishings
- It can withstand the changing weather and conditions
- Affordably priced
- Modern-looking & trendy finish
What We Don't Like
- The smell may linger for weeks
- One coat application isn’t enough
4. General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil-Based Finish
Since General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil-Based Finish is made of urethane resin, our testers didn’t have any issue applying it on the wood kitchen tables. All we had to do was run it over with a damp cloth or foam brush, and we got the durable finish we needed.
If you want your kitchen or dining table to stay durable and protected, we recommend applying at least five coats of this semi-gloss finish.
It’s advisable to apply Arm-R-Seal as a dining table finish because it doesn’t easily wear off once cured, no matter how many times you need to wipe the surface.
What We Like
- You can apply it with a soft foam brush or damp cloth
- Long-lasting & durable wooden finish
- It penetrates through the underlying wood surface
- Doesn’t easily wear off
- Protective finish
What We Don't Like
- It dries in an amber shade because it’s oil-based
- Multiple coatings and long curing time
5. Rust-Oleum Water-Based Gloss Finish
Besides its affordable price, Rust-Oleum Water-Based Gloss Finish works well in highlighting coarse-grain woods. After applying this finish on the kitchen table, you won’t smell any lingering odor.
For the coverage of 125 square feet, the initial drying process ended within thirty minutes. Then, once it settled, let it rest for at least two hours before the recoating commenced.
It is also a great option for a dining room table because it offers high resistance from stains and scratches often obtained from its frequent surface usage. This may not be the best on this list, but lots of wood kitchen table reviews are taking this finish positively.
What We Like
- Also applicable for finishing doors and cabinets
- Gloss, Matte, Satin, and Semi-Gloss variations
- Durable enough to resist scratches and stains
- Fast-drying
- Affordably priced
- No lingering odors
What We Don't Like
- Not the best option for fiber-made materials
- Not recommended for heavily-painted furnishings
6. Waterlox TB5284 Stain
When using Waterlox TB5284 Stain, you can get your wood kitchen table finished neatly with additional waterproofing. And since it has an elastic finish, you can also count on it to protect the wooden surface from spills and moisture.
This finish can offer better adhesion if your wood table top is made of exotic wood materials like Rosewood with dense attributes. You can determine how many coats the wood needs according to its porous levels.
During our tests, one gallon of this Waterlox TB5284 can cover around 500 square feet. The good thing is it does not need to be applied thinly for a better result.
What We Like
- You can use it as a paint additive
- Medium sheen effect once applied
- Elastic and protective finish
- Suitable for exotic wood applications
- Spills and moisture resistant
What We Don't Like
- It’s only a semi-gloss finish
- Not the best-smelling finish
7. Waterlox TB 6044 Original Finish
You may not know, but the tung oil Waterlox TB 6044 is mixed with resin that can make a wood table resistant to water damage. Thanks to this attribute, maintaining this finish after the application won’t be complicated.
It does not matter if you use it as a dining or kitchen table because it can withstand spillage from liquids and heavy usage.
Being an oil-based product, it has a gentle and pleasing gloss that highlights details like carvings on wooden kitchen tables. If you want, you can also use this finish to put the spotlight on the material’s breathtaking joinery.
What We Like
- Made of tung oil that highlights furniture details
- It’s relatively easier to maintain than others
- Wide coverage per one gallon of solution
- Gentle and pleasing gloss
- It can withstand spillage and heavy-use
What We Don't Like
- It needs to be used with a sealer
- Lack of glossiness that highlights fingerprints
8. Tried & True Varnish Oil
Although it’s not a popular brand, Tried & True Varnish Oil offers massive strength to protect wooden surfaces from rough usage. It is made of a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax that brings out the wood’s figure.
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It’s a solvent-free finish that won’t suffer marks even if you cut and chop the material into pieces. And since it is non-toxic [1], you don’t have to worry about it coming in contact with food.
You can also apply it over oil-based wood stain without the risk of damaging or ruining the furniture’s current state. It is also a suitable final finish for wood with oil-based paint.
What We Like
- High resin content for a semi-gloss effect
- Each application makes the coat more durable
- It hardens better as time passes
- Food-safe finish
- Solvent-free finish
- Excellent final wood finish
- Maintains wood furniture’s natural beauty
What We Don't Like
- Not the easiest finish to apply
- Sold at a higher price range
9. OLD MASTERS Clear Satin Finish
Another premium finish for wood kitchen tables you can consider buying if you don’t mind going outside the budget is OLD MASTERS Clear Finish. At first glance, it will look like any other gel varnish. However, its clear mixture makes the application neat, like it’s been applied by a master woodworker.
It delivers a gorgeous finish on old and new wood pieces. Depending on the coat frequency, its effect could range from gloss to satin.
It only took two coats before the smooth finishing results started showing on the table’s surface. Compared to other products, this finish can save you more time and money.
What We Like
- Easy application and maintenance
- Suitable in commercial settings
- It requires fewer coat applications
- Reasonably priced
- Gloss to satin finish
- Suitable for old and new wood pieces
- Clear mixture
What We Don't Like
- Long drying time
- Not impact-resistant
Finishes For a Wood Kitchen Table Buyer’s Guide
Types of Finishes for Wood
Oil-based Finish
When shopping for the best finish for wood kitchen table furnishings, you will encounter products made of either linseed or tung oil. Unlike other types of finishes for wood, oil finishing products give tables extra depth and more vibrant colors.
Water-based Finish
Compared to linseed and tung oil, wood finishes based on water provide a faster drying time.
Additionally, water-based finishes are easy to clean up with soap and water, making them a convenient choice for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. So, we recommend this option if you want a glossy result.
Shellac
This finishing product is a mixture of solvent and wax. Although newbies may find it easier to apply, it is not durable enough to withstand rough usage and condition.
Varnish
Wood varnishes often have clear mixtures, so it is only natural some woodworkers find it difficult to apply. Because of this, most users tend to mix it with a dye.
Urethanes or Polyurethane Finish
You can use Urethanes or Polyurethane Finish along with varnishes as it offers flexible and durable results upon application.
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Wax
It is the most common type of finish you will find in the market because it is made of natural components like bee wax.
Toughness
If maximum durability is what you seek, Urethanes or Polyurethane Finish are the best options you will find. As for oil and wax variations, you will have to apply the coats again annually for guaranteed toughness.
Easy to Apply
The finishes that flow well when applied are mostly varnishes made of polyurethane. Although oil and wax alternatives need brushes, these options are easier to apply than others.
Odor
When applying oil varnishes, it’s highly recommended to do it on a well-ventilated area. You may not know, but these products carry strong odors that may irritate your sense of smell. If you want a milder option, you can opt for water-based finishes.
Curing Time
These finishing alternatives take a few hours to a day before completely curing. Because of this, you need to make ensure that the area you are placing the table during curing time is vacuumed and cleaned to prevent dust from settling into its surface.
Proper Ventilation
These finishes tend to have a strong smell. If you can, you must at least crack a window to let air pass through and avoid suffocation. Remember that proper ventilation is also crucial for the spray-on application.
Tips for Sanding Your Kitchen Table
If you have used electric sanders before, you will know that some of these machines leave sanding marks. To avoid this, you need to sand the final coating by hand.
However, we don’t recommend switching to a different sandpaper type midway sanding. For example, it is better to stick to 80-grit sandpaper than to suddenly change to 100-grit during the process.
Tips for Applying a Finish to Your Wood Kitchen Table
Tip #1: Work fast.
Like it or not, these finishes get sticky and dry in just a matter of minutes. So if you don’t want any hassle, going through the application all at once is highly recommended.
Tip #2: Use a roll-on brush when applying oil-based finishes to large surfaces.
Using a roll-on brush is the smartest method for even application on wide surfaces. By doing this, you can eliminate the formed bubbles. However, you can try to apply thin coatings to avoid uneven results.
Tip #3: Add a layer of the coating under the table.
Do not forget to apply some coats underneath the table. If you do not do this step, the wood may end up shrinking and swelling in the long run.
Tip #4: Apply 3 layers of coating for best results.
The recommended application for tables exposed to harsh conditions is three layers of coats. It will make the finish less likely to break over time and increase the surface’s durability.
Tip #5: Seal the end grain.
You can use a seal to avoid soaking the end grain and giving it a darker appearance.
Tip #6: Clean up any residue.
Before you apply another coat, ensure that the surface is free of any residue by sanding.
FAQ
How do you seal a wood kitchen table?
You can seal a wood kitchen table by using a polyurethane solution. These sealers are known for standing against liquid spillage and heat marks. So these make a good protective finish as well.
What kind of polyurethane do you use on a kitchen table?
You should use an FDA-approved polyurethane on a kitchen table. It means that these finishes are safe to be in contact with food once the curing time is completed.
When should I apply a finish on my wooden table?
You should apply a finish on a wooden table to prevent it from swelling and cracking over time. This method also gives the material an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For a shiny sheen, here’s how to achieve a high gloss finish on your wood project.
Can I apply a polyurethane finish over a painted table?
Yes, you can apply a polyurethane finish over the painted material. By doing this, the finish can help protect the paint once cured.
Can I apply paint over varnish?
Yes, as long as the paint you will be using is water-based acrylic resin. For oil painting, applying primer should be done first.
Also Read: Is Polyurethane Waterproof?
Our Top Pick For a Wood Kitchen Table Finish:
General Finishes GAHS Satin Finish
After thorough hands-on tests, our resident woodworkers hailed General Finishes GAHS as the best finish for wood kitchen table furnishings.
As a product that dries in clear colors, it gives the wooden material a neat and professional look. It is also made of urethane, so you can expect durability once this finish is cured into the table.
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