Clear finish for antique Japanese elm

[wonderingwhy]

I have purchased an unfinished antique Japanese elm table.
While it is beautiful, it is somewhat less than pratical as a family dinner table (red wine, oil, etc soak right in!).
I have tried several commercially available satin finishes (on the under-side), but they all darken the wood (even slightly).
Does anyone know of a product that will protect the surface, but not alter the integrity of the piece (that is, not make it look like it has a finish on it at all).
Thanks.

 

[TheDec]

Any coating will alter the colour of the wood, the more coats you apply the darker it will appear.

Sikkens do a range of clear wood laquers formulated for this type of work, you will need to thin the first coat as per product instructions.

Any staining present on your work area will have to be removed before application.

Dec.