Cedar finish

I'm working with some old Australian Red Cedar and I want to retain the light red/brown colour of the natural timber. However, what ever I finish it with soaks in and turns it dark brown. Tried various oils, white shellac, wipe on poly. Best result so far is just fine clear wax straight onto the bare timber, but even that is not ideal.

Does anyone have any suggestions that will retain the natural colour.

DIY DAN:~

Cedar oxides and gets darker regardless of finish or lack there of.

ie Unfinished cedar darkens in time, finished cedar darkens on contact with finish.

If you find the cedar is getting to dark when applying finishes try sanding to a finer grit like 320 with a ROS for example.

Oils darken timber,

We generally get good results with pre-cat lacquers but wipe on poly has been successful as well.