I probably should have done more sanding than I did, but I just hit the rough spots. I used the combination stain/polyurethane in Pecan, if I remember right. I'm getting ready to take it apart again to move it into my new shed and I really ought to put a coat of clear polyurethane on it before I re-assemble it. Hinterberg recommends using an oil-based wipe-on stain or combination stain/polyurethane for best results. Because of the moving parts they don't recommend varnish or shellac that would build up on the surface. Hope this helps.