What material can I put on my wood kitchen island to make the surface smooth and waterproof?
Alaska Man's epoxy suggestion is what came to mind for me as well, but it might be difficult to get a nice edge without a lip of some sort. I admit that I've never worked with the stuff.
I think I'd be ordering a sheet of 1/4&quot; glass with a pencil edge. It would probably look great and wouldn't cost much. Wouldn't have to be tempered if you're careful folks with dishes that aren't too heavy. I've used such on my desk since childhood without issue.
It might help to wipe the surface with a wood stain or color in the worn streaks with a colored marker before you set the glass down.