finish on schoolhouse clock

[byron constantine]

I have just finished a clock out of white oak with a light oak stain on it.
I am thinking of a wipe on poly for the final finish. Would there be a better
alternative finish to use? I don't want to darken the the finish any more if
i can help it. Thanks, Byron

[Scott Holmes]

An alkyd resin/soya oil varnish will be far superior to a poly varnish; for clarity and for its NON-yellowing traits. Poly yellows a lot.

However, a school house clock does not really need the protection of varnish in most environments.

Shellac is as easy to apply easy to repair colorfast finish that has been proven to stand the test of time... check out the museums they a full of furniture that has the original shellac finish.