New interior wall panels - Spar Varnish vs...?

[Scotty]

Looking for sealer suggestions for my new wall panels.
If I use Polyurethane, I'm concerned about cracking - especially when the panels are bent for installation.

I am thinking about using Spar Varnish (satin finish) for my new wall panels for it's tough yet forgiving (flexible) properties - anyone know of any better alternatives?

 

[LarryW]

I used polyurethane on my walnut cabinets, and am sorry I did. Over time the finish has not held up as expected. (now 12ys out) If I had it to do again I'd do what several others have used. Either Danish Oil or Tung Oil. The nice thing about these oils is, wipe on, wait and wipe excess off. Let dry 24hrs, and do another coat. Do coats until you can tell that it is no longer soaking in. Over the following years if you scratch it, a coat of oil will easily renew it. The poly would require sanding before top coating and might not match. Also, the oils are naturally satin. Just what I think.

 

[tmsnyder]

I used shellac on a 1959 birchwood beauty, turned out very nice, matched the original