More directly to your question, the hardest finishes you could use as a DIYer would be a good oil urethane or lacquer. Lacquer finishes are common on high end manufactured pieces, but really need to be sprayed on, several coats to make a good protective finish.
Ronseal Stays White Ultra Tough Paint is a tough, durable wood paint that protects against everyday wear and tear.
Moisture-Cured Urethane. Moisture-cured urethane is one of the toughest finishes available for wood floors.
A semi-gloss finish will offer maximum durability, will be more stain and scuff resistant, plus, it's a breeze to clean.
Oil Based Paint Oil-based paints have beautiful color saturation and can be applied to almost any surface. They don't show streaks or brushstrokes, and they're probably the most durable paint choice for wood furniture. It will saturate any porous surface, creating a smooth hard finish with each coat of paint.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.
Ceramic coating not only provides a high-gloss finish but also offers excellent protection against environmental hazards like bird droppings, tree sap, UV rays, and harsh chemicals. Paint Protection Film (PPF) is considered the most durable option. A high-quality PPF can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years.
Watercolor has a reputation for being the most difficult medium to master. The paint has often been said to have a mind of its own in determining where the paint goes and how the color of paint ends up looking on the paper.
Flat. Flat paints have the least amount of gloss so they help conceal surface imperfections better than other finishes and are ideal for walls that are rough or dented. They also touch-up better, which makes a flat paint an ideal choice for family rooms, living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
Epoxy offers higher levels of rigidity and adhesion than polyurethane, making it better suited for harder surfaces.
Tung Oil. Tung oil comes from the seeds of the tung tree and is a popular choice for finishing wood furniture, countertops, and cutting boards. It penetrates the wood and hardens over time, providing a durable, water-resistant finish.
Overall a very dull appearance unless burnished to a high sheen. Once applied, wax is very difficult to remove. Protection of the wood surface is minimal.
In contrast to watering down paint, “thinning” paint is a regular practice for all painters and is recommended by the paint manufacturer. To “thin” paint, an exterior painter will add water to the paint bucket, increasing the paint's workability and slowing down the speed with which it dries.
Ronseal White Gloss Ultra Tough Wood Paint 750ml. This is our toughest wood paint. It'll give your wood the ultimate protection against knocks and scrapes. Keeping your home looking its best for longer - ideal if you've got kids or pets or both!
You can't beat wax for that beautiful satiny finish that looks great, isn't too shiny and gives your painted furniture a beautiful depth and richness you just can't achieve with any other finish. Wax is the traditional finish of choice for porous paints like chalk and milk paint and has been used for a very long time.
High-gloss paints are the toughest paint finish. Their high sheen gives them excellent durability and makes them easier to clean, allowing them to perform well in high-traffic areas.
Gloss paint is very resistant to wear and tear, and it is easy to clean and maintain. Additionally, gloss paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including doors, trim, and cabinetry, making it a versatile choice for homeowners.
Durability - Satin paint is more durable than matt or flat finishes due to the higher percentage of resin creating an extra layer of protection.
Oil-based. Oil-based paints are the most durable choice for exterior wood surfaces. One of their major advantages is that they stand up well against moisture and extreme weather conditions. These paints also dry slowly, so they can be easily applied in multiple layers without worrying about drips or runs.
Scuff-X® Interior paint is a revolutionary, single-component paint that resists scuffing before it starts. Engineered with cutting-edge protection against scuffs, patented Scuff-X technology not only delivers unyielding defense for walls, but it also helps save time and money.
Fusion™ Mineral Paint is famous for its built-in topcoat. The 100% acrylic resin acts as the “glue”, so to speak, and results in the best adhesion, and long-term durability against wear and tear. It is a water resistant, non-porous surface which is why you don't need a topcoat.
Many contractors are impressed by the fact that Sherwin-Williams has more than 140 years of experience behind them, which means they've had a long time to perfect what they do. And they've done it well, as they are among the most trusted suppliers of quality paints in the industry.
Sherwin Williams and Behr are the two highest-rated paint brands in the USA, with Behr having a Trust Index Quotient Score of 120 points and Sherwin Williams coming in with 119.9 points.