Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
One of my favorite finishes for maple is two coats of dewaxed shellac followed by two coats of water-based varnish. The shellac brings out the depth of grain and some of the golden color in the maple, while the varnish provides additional protection and wear-resistance.

Hi Frank

The question I have is whether the varnish you applied changed the colour at all? That has been as important to me as achieving a smooth and durable finish.

The reason I have not used an oil-based poly - which would have been so much easier to apply - was that it is known to darken the finished appearance.

Regards from Perth

Derek