Staining tip-ups

[Dieseldog]

Some of you stain your tip-ups before poly or spar urethane. Is that to give it some added color, to better seal the wood or both? I am about to begin the sealing process while a lot of you are out on the ice. Lol.

[Jon_K]

I just re finished some.  I stained them and then used satin spar varnish in the spray can.  I did 3 coats sanding in between every coat.  They came out great.