I have a sturdy dining table that needs some love. The top isn't real wood and it's getting worn down from daily use, including food spills and kids' coloring projects. I'd like to put a piece of plywood (1/8 inch thick) on top of it to extend its life. I'm planning to stain it with an oil stain outside, but I'm unsure what to seal it with afterward to protect against spills and make it easy to clean. I have some supplies like oil stain, Kilz primer, acrylic enamel paint, Minwax polycrylic, and shellac. Should I stick with oil stain or is there a better paint/top coat combo? Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
For your plywood, I’d recommend using an oil stain, letting it dry for 24-48 hours, and then applying 3-4 coats of polycrylic for a durable finish. If you choose the painting route, start with Kilz primer, then use the acrylic enamel, and finish with 2-3 coats of polycrylic. Just avoid shellac for this application since it doesn't hold up well against spills. If you want maximum durability, consider a water-based polyurethane instead!
For max durability, an oil-based poly is a solid choice too!
Absolutely, it’s a good idea to coat the underside of the plywood to prevent warping, especially since you’ll be gluing it down with silicone. A simple seal with the poly or even some paint on that side can help keep it stable.
Thanks for the tips! I’m curious, what’s the main difference between Minwax polycrylic and water-based polyurethane? I always find them confusing.