Refinishing oak table - what's better-oil base catalyzed lacquer, water based lacquer or conversion varnish?

Question

table gets heavy kitchen use, I know I don't want polyurethane so what type of finish is best and should it be oil or water based.

Answer 1

"Best," without criteria is a meaningless adjective.  Each has competing characteristics such as availability, cost, durability, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, ability to repair, ability to refinish, your ability to apply, safety considerations, look & feel, etc.  If there was one ideal finish, there would be no alternatives.

Answer 2

oil based lacquer would be best but use several coats and sand with 0000  steel wool beween coats and use a tack cloth after sanding

Answer 3

Oil base is the way to go it will hold up much longer .To get a good finish you will need 2-3 coats sand liteley after first coat 220 grit sandpaper clean well before next coat or coat's .It will

take 2-3 weeks before you set any thing heavy on it .OK for general use after it dry es good