Buy a can of golden oak stain and apply as directed.
You don't say whether the poly is water or oil based. Oil based will, by
itself, impart an amber tone to the wood. Maybe not enough so you'll have to
do a test on a hidden part or scrap. However oil based varnish does entail
require some fumes.
Water based poly is clear and imparts very little tint to the wood so if you
want more color and use water based you will have to use a stain..
A spar/marine varnish is the most flexible.
--
Mike G.
snipped-for-privacy@heirloom-woods.net
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