MM...what a fun table to be 'entertained' at! You really put some nice thought into it...making it very colorful and age appropriate...adding the little gems and even thinking of an animal theme for the CC!! Love it. I'm glad they enjoyed themselves knowing this was just for 'them'..along with yummy grilled cheese!! You're a sweetheart Auntie... jane

Here's a link that might be helpful: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-go-about-painting-mdf.htm SW ProClassic, BM Impervo or any waterborne paint would provide a hard finish. You wouldn't need a clear coat. Just make sure you give it a couple of weeks to cure to its final hardness before using it.

Zinc is strong and durable. They use it for roofs in France. Whether you will like the look is up to you. Here are two quick references for you to review. A search on durable zinc table or counters will yield even more information for you. Overall description of zinc durability: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/zinc-countertops-pros-cons/#. Shows how zinc reacts with some acidic foods: http://vanhookandco.blogspot.com/2012/11/caring-for-zinc-counters-or-tabletops.html

There are several much tougher finishes than lacquer. However, lacquer is much easier to apply and dries much faster(20 minutes or so) so is a favorite with manufacturers. Faster apply/dry time is more money. Lacquer is a disolving finish. That means any application of an additional coat of lacquer partially disolves the top layer of the existing finish. So, I'd use a finish sander(1/4 or 1/2 sheet sander---NOT a random orbit sander-ROS) and 150 grit paper to sand out as many of the scratches as possible. However, if there is only one coat of lacquer, you will be into the finish quickly, even with a finish sander. Use a rag dampened with lacquer thinner now and then before and during sanding. That will disolve the top layer and make sanding faster, even with the 20 minute waits. Many of the scratches are through the lacquer and into the 'finish' they mention. Those 'finishes' are a recipe of stain/finish/additives that are propriatary to Pottery Barn. Without the actual recipe, matchig the color is virtually inpossible. So, most of what you will accomplish is just going to be modifting the present look.