I am removing and repurposing 1 x 12 clear heart redwood which was the board and batten siding of my 1953 ranch house that I am remodeling. The outside has many layers of paint but the underside is untouched and looks beautiful. I plan to use it for the soffit and would like to put a clear finish on it and maintain the natural redwood color for as long as possible. Any suggestions? The article, “Torture Test for Outdoor Finishes,” is very helpful but my concern is specific to redwood. Also, article follows the manufacturer recommendations: 7 coats for Epifanes and 2 coats for Watco, etc. But what would the result be if you put 7 coats of Watco on?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.