Poly-urethane varnish,preffarably(How do you spell that?)
Woodoc 25 floor varnish, either Matt or Gloss.
I used gloss.And a brush.
Poly-urethanes are never true urethanes.
Woodoc is a 70%,the best in S.A. is 'Pratli-glo'(craft poly-urethane) with a 90% true poly-urethane combo.
Another good product is the Boat Resin mix(Resin/catalyst) from Plascon(can`t remember the name),but @ +- R800-00 a litre

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Bournegleem is also a good product.More % than Woodoc(Woodoc is cheaper and very forgiving)
I am also going to experiment with normal fibreglass resin painted on wood veneer.
Without spray equipment,poly is the best,and the most expensive poly even better,only a brush,and Mineral turpentine needed,
With 30%Turps(I do 50/50) thinned, your mistakes are minimal,you sand your mistakes away with 360/400 sandpaper,and paint again and again etc.,
for me very relaxing doing it in my garden in the late afternoon,that`s why I do it mostly

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