paul wrote:
..
Is there a product or method which will keep the wood as light as poss
and highlight the grain ?


The two are almost incompatible.

The lightest covering I have found is a matte acrylic varnish like
Ronseal clear etc etc.


But it does bugger all to develop the grain.

You best bet is to get some scrap pieces and try a few wipes with the
lighter Colron wood stains..with luck a clean up with acetone will lift
it mostly off the hard wood and leave it in the porous rings. Then use a
clear acrylic.



many thanks in advance

Paul