I have recently bought an old victorian home by the ocean. In the kitchen are stained wooden counter tops. Which I need to refinish...I want to keep the wood stained and then protected against water and heat....any ideas of what to use for protection on wood against heat and water. Currently they are being discolored by the water and are sticky when something hot or cold is put on them.
I recommend to always check that your wood furnitures has a strong coat of varnish on it at all times. Varnish is not just available in super glossy finishes anymore. It is now available in a satin or matte to match whatever look you wish to achieve.
If you worry about the watermarks on your wooden kitchen counters, a simple home remedy is to grab a toothpaste (not gel) and rub it in a circular motion over the stain with a clean damp cloth. Then, remove the toothpaste from the surface with a second damp cloth, and you polish it again.
A lot of people swear by Waterlox. Have you looked into that?