In article , frozenNorth123
@gm.nospam.ail.com says...

On 12/16/10 6:28 PM, Luigi Zanasi wrote:
On Dec 16, 2:33 pm,
wrote:
Just got a new stove, the back above the control panel isn't deep enough
for things we like to store there. List includes olive oil, veggie oil,
regular, balsamic and wine vinegar, salt and pepper.

I have the shelf made and coloured properly to match cabinets, now what
to use for a clear coat? Poly, varnish, shellac or ?

My initial reaction is always shellac. But given that you might spill
stuff& it will get greasy, I would day this is one place where
polyurinestain (tmLJ) is justified. You might want to check if acetic
acid affects it.

No direct spills, but drips out of the bottles is likely, that is why I
mentioned the contents and you are right grease and misc splatters is a
possibility. I was leaning towards poly, just wondering if the various
oils and vinegars may be a problem. They are so handy just at the back
of the stove.

Shouldn't be an issue for a decent urethane.