re: finishes

With the P&L, I have a coffee table i built maybe 10-11 yeas ago, and put P&L on it. This table has endured my cave man habits (feet upon it, food, etc.) and still doesn’t have any damage on the top. Anyway, 4 brushed coats of any of the good varnishes should be enough for the top (fewer for other parts), depending on how much you thin it. I usually do what Jeff suggested, the first one is 50/50; after that thin it in the area of 20% (+/-). I brush this on with a “badger hair” brush and get good results usually waiting 24 hours between coats.