Carpentry and Woodworking - Oak banister question

We had an oak banister installed by a retired craftsman who does what I believe to be almost a lost art. How would I go about putting a finish on it to protect it? Thanks in advance!!:confused:

lilbritches65,
If it is completely bare wood, you can stain it and then polyurethane it. I prefer Minwax golden oak stain on oak but there are a number of choices. Obtain a small can and test it on some scrap wood before you decide on the final stain color.
Two or three coats of poly will protect it fne.
fred

Before it was installed, I began to stain the individual (what are they called) bar pieces (from rail to floor, cannot remember the name!) with a Cabot stain and have completed this throughout with two coats. Found a woodfloor gloss finish that I used on some steps nearby stained the same....will this work here too? Also, any special way to avoid problems with air bubbles? I get them more with the poly than I do the wood finish I think. Thanks alot! pat :)

Hi Pat,
Balusters, or spindles!!
You can use the same finish on the rail and balusters.
Two things cause air bubbles: either shaking the can of poly or brushing technique, or possibly a cheap brush. Always stir a poly. And once you brush an area move on the adjacent area and do not rebrush the first area. I aso like to work with slightly thinner poly by thinning with mineral spirites. This is only for oilbase polys. The thinner poly levels out more quickly and any air bubbles break.
You always need to watch for drips and runs and smooth these out quickly.
fred