This is my first experience purchasing unfinished furniture and staining it myself, but this is a beautiful table and a conversation piece since it really has my special touch to it. I love telling guests that I completed this table and my neighbors enjoyed watching the stages the table went through too. Whatever you do to the table, I would use a primer/prepper of some sort because there a few spots of the table that did not take, but for the most part, it did take place. I used minwax stain and polycrylic finish.