Recommendations for mantel finish

[semipro]

I'm finally getting around to transforming a large chunk of cedar that's been sitting in my basement into a mantel for our stone fireplace. I need to stain it and put a protective finish on it but am worried about the effects of the heat coming up from the wood stove beneath it. I typically use water-based stain and poly on wood projects but I'm not sure that's the way to go with the mantel. Since poly is basically a plastic(?) I'm thinking that the elevated temps above the stove may soften or degrade it.

Anyone have an experience/thoughts on this.

 

[semipro]

I'm finally getting around to transforming a large chunk of cedar that's been sitting in my basement into a mantel for our stone fireplace. I need to stain it and put a protective finish on it but am worried about the effects of the heat coming up from the wood stove beneath it. I typically use water-based stain and poly on wood projects but I'm not sure that's the way to go with the mantel. Since poly is basically a plastic(?) I'm thinking that the elevated temps above the stove may soften or degrade it.

Anyone have an experience/thoughts on this.

Since there seems to be a lack of knowledge or experience on this I thought I let you know what I found.

Don't use polyurethane.

Waterlox works well.

I attached a few pictures. I was actually taking shots of the firewood pass-through (air lock) I just finished for posting in the "Wood Shed" but the mantle shows pretty well.

 

[Thistle]

Clear Danish oil such as Watco rubbed in well,followed by carnauba/beeswax mixture,buffed to a soft mellow glow is another option.