DIY

My 80yo wooden dining table needs a protective matt coating. Any recommended DIY coatings?

Mature pine. Mock-Elizabethan. My dad did his homework on it as a child 50 years ago; I don’t want to strip off the stains from his ink bottle. I do want to keep the 1930s stain and imperatively the look of the thing, so something absolutely transparent and non shiny would be best.

Varathane makes a satin matte finish polyurethane that is non-yellowing and have UVB/UVA protection that will protect your fond memories and give you long lasting protection. You can find it at the home improvement stores on the paint and stain aisle.