finishing a dining table

Hello. First of all I have to fess up to having limited skills and knowledge...
However, what I do have is a nice small dining table that I think had a hard life, and lived in a shed for a while. I have pulled it apart and cleaned and sanded it back - the table top I had sanded at a furniture "place" as we intend to use it as our dining table so want it done properly - I don't want to practice on it and muck it up.

Also, when I pulled the table apart, the fittings were very corroded so new ones in order, should I get brass?

As it will be used on a daily basis any suggestions as to finishes? It will need to be waterproof and hardy but want to avoid the glossy varnish look.
Any ideas as to finishes and methodology? I don't think it is an antique but it is a nice piece and who knows? one day it well may be.

Thanks
Dave

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Originally Posted by brisbanedave

As it will be used on a daily basis any suggestions as to finishes? It will need to be waterproof and hardy but want to avoid the glossy varnish look. Any ideas as to finishes and methodology? I don't think it is an antique but it is a nice piece and who knows? one day it well may be.

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A really easy to apply and durable finish is a matt or semi-gloss wipe on poly varnish ("minwax wipe on poly") - 5 or 6 coats will do what you're after.

Steven.

For tables I recommend something like Behlens table top finish http://www.rockler.com/behlen-rockha...ish-b603-28406 if you can get it. It'll bear up better under daily use than will regular polyurethane. My wife did a table with Minwax and it now needs to be refinished necessitating chemical stripping of the old and damaged poly that's on it. It's pretty hard to get a nice looking repair on PU so you're stuck with stripping when you go to refinish.
If it is really an antique you'll want to think hard about using PU as it will effectively destroy the collectors value.