On Dec 27, 9:35*am, Otoe wrote:

I'm surprised no one meantioned shellac. *Shellac seals and dries very
quickly. *It shows off the grain too. *Applying several coats doesn't
take long either. *I'd use a 2lb cut with pad applicator. *You can
lay at least 3 coats per day with very light sanding between coats.
*In three days, it is done and dry enough for delivery: although,
give it a month before any furniture wax.

First choice for red oak (or cheap #2 white pine) is amber
shellac.