Shannon Ggem ASID- Ggem Design Co LLC I will use the Waterlox tung-oil J Aaron mentioned. But if I were in your situation I would have a pro do a marine varnish or go back to the granite or very hard natural quartzite idea.

But I sure do love the look of some wood countertops....

J. Aaron Shannon is right. Waterlox or Watco Danish Oil are both very easy to apply but they do need a little upkeep. Once or twice a year they'll need re-applied. The marine varnish is great but you need a little more experience to apply it well enough not to have brush marks. A professional painter would have experience working with oil based paints which are very similar in their applications.