I'm still playing with deciding what top coats I like. Originally I was dipping in Danish oil. Then I thinned and used a General finish with some UV and moisture protection (I'll have to look at the actual name when I am down in the shop). The next pieces I tried some polycrylic, but have pretty much sanded back through it except for the inside cuts. Since my pieces average 3/8" thick with lots of little openings, there had to be some way to get all those edges coated. I picked up some of Rockler's WunderCote and think that I will apply it to the top, bottom and sides of the pieces. I'd hadn't originally considered having to protect them from sunlight and moisture so I am still experimenting. I'm open to suggestions. Did you sand the inside of the veining lines? If so, how? if not, how did you get them smooth enough to not need it?