Finishing lam pine benchtop for dining table

[takai]

We are in need of a larger table and so I found a pair of cheap laminated pine benchtop seconds at the green shed. One has become my new top for the assembly/saw bench and the other will become a dining table with structural lumber for the legs and apron.

Trying to decide what to finish it with to keep some durability. Considering a light whitewash for an "antique" look and then several coats of exterior varnish. Something like https://www.bunnings.com.au/enrich-4l-clear-exterior-varnish_p1520461 ? (Picking up this cheap varnish for a pallet outdoor table, unless anyone has a better option)

Or perhaps several coats of the Tung oil that Bunnings stocks.

Not looking to spend much on this, as it's a bit of a stop gap until I get around to making a nicer table in hardwood.

Thoughts on what I should do?

[P.W.H.]

My personal aesthetics say that whitewash is an atrocity, but hey, that's me. If you like it - you like it.
It's become kind of fashionable lately, going on what I've seen in some furniture stores.

Tung oil is pretty water-repellent, and it's also food-safe. 3-4 coats with light sanding between
(or applying with a stainless steel wool pad) should give you a nice surface that looks great.

I have even used olive oil as a finish on kitchen utensils, chopping boards and such like, start thinning
it with vegetable turps to make it penetrate better, apply it warm, even, then put a few more coats
over the top over the course of a few days, wiping it dry after a while each time.

No idea what you'd put over the top of whitewash. Lime is not all that healthy, so you'd want to
make sure you seal it in well.