It’s totally up to you John, but I decided to put 12 coats of Epifanes Varnish on my white oak bed planks. It really is the toughest varnish out there, wears well and looks great. BUT, I’m afraid to put anything in my bed without laying down carpet or cardboard 😂 It’s awesome. The wood bed in my first truck (a’51 3100 in 1974) had white oak painted black.
