My dining room table is finished with "Behlen's Rock Hard Table Top Varnish"
and it has held up very well. I made the table about 8 years ago. This web
page talks about this finish:
http://antiquerestorers.com/Articles/SAL/tablevar.htm . I have no idea how
reliable this web site is -- I just found it by googling on "Rock Hard Table
Top Varnish," but what it says fits with my experience. I did rub out my
finish. Rock Hard Table Top Varnish is available from the usual suspects
(Woodcraft, Highland Hardware, etc.).

If you do not want an amber finish (almost all traditional varnishes will be
amber colored) then you might want to look into some of the new water-based
finishes as well as lacquer, but those are outside my realm of experience so
I can't offer any advice in that area.

- Bruce

"Tracer" wrote in message
om...
I have refinished a Maple dining table, and would like input for what
is the best clear finish to put on this. I dont want to stain, as I
love the color it is.
I would like something that will obviously resist scratches, since
this will be only for eating at.
Thanks!