After an unfortunate discovery (the sealant had all dried up since last year) I have a new jar and on we go.

The basic Cuprinol woodstain looks lovely, sort of satiny, but it wears very rapidly and is probably less aerodynamic than varnish. So I give it a couple of coats of 50:50 Sanding Sealant/Thinners. This produces a shiny, smooth finish.