Re: Pine grips on pistol or similar, including furniture: I like to use oil-based good quality polyurethane (like a varnish). Multiple coats to build mil thickness of base, wet sanded between each coat until satisfied with buildup thickness of finish. Oil-base will build satisfactory mil thickness much faster than water-based polyurethane which may take 15 to 20 coats sometimes, but has advantage of very quick dry between coats (I do use both). On old Fox Mod B antique shotgun (circa 1935) I repaired, re-checkered, and refinished stock to as-new condition in 1966, and it still looks great today. Final finish is wet-sand using turpentine (if oil based) followed by buffing by hand to any level of shine (satin to high-gloss) is simple and quick using automotive rubbing & polishing compounds available at Wal-Mart or auto supply stores. Final finish is perfect on gun stocks to furniture, and it is extreamly tough and water proof.