Replies

1. 
   bilyo | Feb 01, 2020 06:27pm | #1

   I have never put a finish on chestnut but, I can't imagine why it would be any different. What you use depends on the kind of use it will get. There is a wide range of durability between tung oil and poly. For light use, you can use tung oil or danish oil. It will require multiple applications from time to time to keep it fresh. If it were mine, I would apply a coat of danish oil to bring out the color of the wood and then apply either water based poly or oil based poly for durability. Of course, you have the choice of satin or gloss and you can apply any wax you wish to help maintain it.

2. 
   _mj_ | Feb 01, 2020 07:30pm | #2

   I had some recently. I flooded it with tung oil as a stabilizer on the spongy / holey side and after a week of drying next to the furnace it felt more solid. Final finish was shellac & wax.

3. 
   177leo | Feb 02, 2020 10:48am | #3

   Thanks. I like the idea of the danish oil to bring out the richness and I’ve had good luck in the past with a wipe on poly.