Thanks guys for all your input on what to use for protecting the bents for my new trestle. After reading all the pros and cons, I went to Home Depot and got a quart of both the Polyacrylic and Behr transparent weather proofing. I did a test sample with both of them on a couple pieces of 1/2 square Ceder and after they dried, I decided use the Behr Weather Proofing as I liked the color and it is made for use on wood fences and the can says it will last for 6 years. well that’s good enough for me. Here is what I used and what the bent looked like after I applied the weather proofing . The bent on the left are un protected, the ones on the right have had the weather proofing applied. The weather proofing was about $15.00 per quart.