re: Wood finish q: how to achieve brown finish on reclaimed cypress

Steel wool in a bucket add vinegar let it sit for a few days strain that stain will gray the wood now you can try stains. Any oil base poly finish you put on over the stained wood will Amber & change color over time. If you match the color you like use a water base finish it will not Amber. Minwax sucks arse much better products out there.