I recently received an oak coffee table top that has been finished with 4 coats of Minwax Polycrylic (not MAX). My 3- and 5-year-olds still managed to ding and scratch it with toys/play within about 3 hours.
I'm considering trying a coat or two of Ultimate Floor Finish to toughen up the surface a bit more, but I realize it might be a lost cause when going up against preschool-aged boys. I'm also not 100% sure that using a different poly top coat on top of what's there is the right move.
Anyone care to speak to:
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Is using a different water-based poly finish on top of an existing one OK?
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Will using a "floor finish" product on furniture offer any noticeable improvement in durability/protection?
Y'all are great; thank you for your advice!
Oil-based poly is much more durable. But, as other commenters say, it's not going to protect against dings. Thick, bartop epoxy would a bit, but that scratches easily. Poly on top of epoxy may give you the best of both worlds, but haven't tried that myself.