How can I renovate an old pine dining table

[justasecond]

Bought it on ebay. Lovely turned legs, chunky top. I want to paint the legs and make the top darker as I hate pine. Sort of shabby chic effect I suppose
Has anyone done this and what products did you use?
I was thinking little greene eggshell for the legs but heard annie sloan is quite good?
Also with the top I assume I sand down to remove all the old wax but then what do I do? Can anyone recommend anything to make the top darker like wood dye/stain? What can I apply over it to give it some protection?

Sand the top with fine paper. Rub over with turps. Liberon woodstain is quite good. It's better to use one you rub on with a cloth, than a brush on one.
A matt/silk clear varnish will protect.

thats great thanks!

I've done similar with our old dining table. Not sure why we bought a pine table with wedding present money but we did. I love the pedestal shape and that it can extend to sit 10 and now has 14 years of happy memories but have never liked it's knottiness !

I painted the base with a period colour eggshell and loved the result. I decided that it took away enough of the knots to be more honest with the top and let it be its natural colour. After years of waxing (not durable for liquids) and coloured 'oak' (orange )varnishing ( found all the new quick dry varieties not durable for scratching ) I have ended up with a great durable finish using a few coats of natural danish oil. It's a little like varnish in finish but the sheen has 'given' with little dents it's received courtesy of DSs not peeled away like varnish. I think it would go over any dye you apply.

Can't advise on dyes but colron do a wax remover which is great and it was the same make for the oil.