You chose interior, original colour, maximum durability, moderate sheen.
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Option 1: A water / acrylic based polyurethane in "satin" finish (difficulty: medium)
This gives a hardwearing "film" finish which sits on top of the wood protecting it from heat and moisture. As it is water / acrylic based, it won't darken/amber the colour of the wood.
In my experience, there is little difference in durability between polyurethane and varnish, although many people say that polyurethane is more durable. Polyurethane is readily available in the USA but harder to find in the UK, hence why I personally prefer to use varnish (see option 2).
Most can be applied with a brush, foam brush, a roller or sprayed. Some are designed for wipe on application, these finishes are thinner and more coats need to be applied to achieve an equivalent finish.
Once applied and dry, I recommend de-nibbing (sanding) in between coats with some wet and dry paper (I use 400 grit but 240-600 will work too) - how to denib - wet sanding with a little water is preferable - as it creates a slurry that prevents build up of varnish on the abrasive paper and also minimises visible brush strokes.
It can be applied to bare wood, or over most other finishes except for wax.
Satin gives a moderate sheen
Sadolin Polyurethane Clear Satin - various sizes https://geni.us/bDacGC (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Rust-Oleum Varathane Polyurethane - 1/2 pint / 284ml https://geni.us/BnhwQ2I quart / 946ml https://geni.us/Mg5oRFz 1 gallon / 4.54l https://geni.us/NJfRT3u (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin - various sizes https://geni.us/hZcP (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Rust-Oleum Varathane Polyurethane Satin Clear - quart / 946ml https://geni.us/DAJZ Spray 11.25oz / 319ml https://geni.us/mqs2rIC (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Option 2: A water / acrylic based varnish in "satin" finish (difficulty: medium)
This gives a hardwearing "film" finish which sits on top of the wood protecting it from heat and moisture. In my experience, there is little difference in durability between this and polyurethane, although others say that polyurethane is more durable.
It can be applied with a brush, foam brush, a roller or sprayed.
Once applied and dry, I recommend de-nibbing (sanding) in between coats with some wet and dry paper (I use 400 grit but 240-600 will work too) - how to denib - wet sanding with a little water is preferable - as it creates a slurry that prevents build up of varnish on the abrasive paper and minimises visible brush strokes.
It can be applied to bare wood, or over most other finishes except for wax.
Satin gives a moderate sheen.
Everbuild Clear Satin Varnish - various sizes https://geni.us/YZYb1sA (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Ronseal Interior Varnish Satin Clear 250ml https://geni.us/lCfNyD 750ml https://geni.us/uFA3Px 2.5l https://geni.us/3pVS2A4 (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Littlefair's Satin Clear Varnish - various sizes https://geni.us/DABciSB (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Rustin's Varnish Satin - 250ml https://geni.us/TTeJj 500ml https://geni.us/kBAKL (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Rustin's Quick Dry Water Based Floor Varnish (can be used on things that are not floors!) - 1l https://geni.us/KtDdL 2.5l https://geni.us/0pRsa (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Liquitex Sayin Spray Varnish - 400ml https://geni.us/p1CQH3R (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Vallejo Satin Acrylic spray varnish - 400ml https://geni.us/fmYw3 (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Option 3: A pigment tinted Hard Wax Oil (difficulty: medium)
Hard Wax Oil is a blend of natural oils & waxes offering exceptional durability & resistance.
There are a few hard wax oils which have a white pigment added that counteracts the yellowing that oil finishes typically give to better retain the original colour of the wood.
It can be applied using a cotton cloth, brush or scouring pad, but needs to be applied very thinly in order for it to cure properly - a little goes a long way.
It should only be applied to bare wood, however please note: hard wax oil doesn't adhere well to some oily hard woods (e.g. teak or iroko) and may require either a specialist thinned oil or pre-treatment / barrier seal coat product prior to application.
Fiddes Hard Wax Oil Oak Lightening - 250ml https://geni.us/Z33UBG 1l https://geni.us/MzllSFx 2.5l https://geni.us/NrgIOS (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Leaves finish that is somewhere between satin and matt
Osmo Polyx-Oil Raw Transparent Hard Wax Oil - 125ml https://geni.us/KxwCvid 750ml https://geni.us/esva6Y 2.5l https://geni.us/t41C (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Although this finish supposedly leaves a matt finish, it does have a bit of a sheen to it
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