when i first stopped using solvent based clear coats and sealers and switched to waterborne, something was missing, especially on unstained woods: knot and grain character. y'know, the way the color and texture knots and differing grain would have....
so, i asked a few fellow pros here in the puckerbrush who do more wood than i, and they suggested using a wax free shellac as a sealer, and then 3 coats of a high end waterborne such as Ceramithane....
the shellac really did the trick in making knots etc stand out a bit more.. even w/ a matte clear coat my recent waterborne jobs on unstained wood came out real nice w/ the same character i'd get w/ solvent clear coats...
btw, when using the shellac, wear a respirator.. nasty stuff those little Lac beetles ooze out....
anyway... its justa thought... good luck w/ the job,
Chofman1Be Well