What I worry about most is getting a good finish over the oil. The stains I have after sanding I'm going to leave. Like I said this table is most likely older than I am so I think it just adds to the charactor a little. What don't to do is splatter on the table after I get it finished that stains it worse. The table can't help the stains it already has, but any more will be my fault. I'm thinking of a clear poly sanded between coats and maybe 3 or more coats. After a final sanding O would polish it out with a good grade auto wax. Does this sound like a plan that would work for a machine in metal shop where almost anything could happen.