Maple laminated tops, stained to a dark color, now what?

[cgraham]

My wife bought two old maple tabletops and I sanded the old finish off to bare wood and then stained them to a dark color. Question is, what should I use to protect them, being that they will be seats on a bench in a mud room?

 

[Sparktrician]

General Finishes Arm-R-Seal in the gloss of choice is one very good product. 

 

[roblg3]

general finishes makes a very nice conversion varnish.  there's not much out there that's brushable that can beat it's durabilityor any other conversion varnish for that matter.  Plus it's water-bourne and won't stink up the house!