On 10/09/2016 00:08, John Rumm wrote:
On 09/09/2016 17:44, www.GymRatZ.co.uk wrote:

I did read that water based clear varnish has a reduced darkening effect
compared to solvent varnish but I fail to see how it's possible to keep
them "light" either permanently or for any length of time.

Yup, could try one of the ronseal quick drying satin finishes - they
darken less than oil or solvent based finishes (they form a film over
rather than sinking in so much.

The other trick to stop wood taking on too much colour from varnish etc,
is to give it a coat of blond shellac as a sealer first.

I picked up a pot of the Ronseal clear, quickdry stuff and was ready to
splash it all over but was halted by the quest for the holy grail filled
from the fountain of youth with which to treat the doors.

Women..... bless 'em.