I'm in the final stages of milling up s GIANT stack of reclaimed pine planks...rough cut, with all the saw marks and bug holes. Skip planed, thickness planed, jointed, then T&G. Now for the hard part! I've done some wood finishing, but never the complexity of floor finishing. Seems there's about a million ways to do it! I'm looking for the typical "reclaimed wide-plank barn floor" look, which is a light clear to reddish hue, with the dings and saw blade marks almost black, which I assume comes from a gel stain? Am I right on that? I'm really looking to keep the wood "light" looking yet contrast the 100 yr-old dings and holes. How would I accomplish such a look? Would you seal the wood first with dewaxed shellac? Finish with tung oil? And what about a top coat? WB Poly? Not interested in reapplying finish or waxing every year! THanks for the tips!

This is the look I'm going for:

http://www.houzz.com/photos/2915714/Bonde-Road-Residence-traditional-hall-other-metro
http://www.houzz.com/photos/722334/Weathered-Antique-Pine-bedroom-denver
http://www.houzz.com/photos/5463706/Homestead-Pioneer-Ranch-rustic-kitchen-denver

I don't think you need to do anything other than finish it your finish of choice..the colors will happen naturally