I'm currently building some walnut side tables, and would like to "wet" the grain and apply a durable satin topcoat.
Just with some experimenting, I've noticed that an oil-based finish (Behlen's Rock Hard Tabletop) gives a depth to the walnut that is way beyond what I get with just shellac or even BLO. But, I'm trying to get away from oil-based.
I've read that the EM6000 is nice because it burns in. But the EM2000 is nice because it has more of the "oil finished" look. Since EM2000 doesn't burn in, does it need to be scuff sanded between coats? Or is the lack of burn in not a serious disadvantage?
I know I could do oil-based (BLO) then de-waxed shellac then EM2000, but I'd prefer to keep it simple - ideally, a single product. Any advice?
(Side note: Reading about these products is confusing. It seems like for every product/schedule, one person loves it and one hates it. Is there some general consensus on "These are the modern, generally effective products that most people will find suitable for...." types of advice? What are the non-floor-poly, non-oil-based topcoats that people generally approve of, these days?)