Greetings,
I am completing a table made of red oak. I am nearly in the onerous position of applying a finish. I wish to use an oil based stain (some Minwax color). I do not intend to fill the grain.
The problem is the top coat. I want a fairly durable finish. Previous efforts at brushing on polyurethane were not satisfying. On other red oak projects (coffee tables, etc.) I used a mixture of Minwax polyurethane/mineral spirits/boiled linseed oil (1:1:1) as a wipe-on finish. Results with this have been adequate, but this finish is not very durable (damp hands leave permanent smudges) and is a problem to apply streak-free due to the oil seeping out of the pores.
What about using standard Waterlox? How about the wipe on polyurethane from Rockler?
Thanks in advance.
tom