New member, first post. Quality German Bulthaup birch ply 4 place kitchen table. 15yo, cost >£1500 + matching benches a grand each, original coating lasted about 5 years. I've stripped, sanded & re-coated with :
Polyurethane water based varnish - 4yrs - didn't like ink, beetroot, wine
Oil based varnish - 5 years - didn't like wet pools, ink
Polyx oil - 1 year! - just wore through!
The Polyx gave by far the best initial finish. Tin said 2 coats which I thought was low but went with it and it just hasn't lasted at all, unfortunately. Table gets kitchen spray / degreaser to shift food? Table gets used for every meal so constant spills of oils, vinegars, sauces & drinks.
So, what do I try next?
More layers Polyx?
Lacquer?
Something else?
Some combination?
Just accept nothing lasts forever?