Yes most of my refinishing has been on Oak, you can also use a sealer although I never have.
re Stain, as I mentioned I do NOT like the stain / varnish combo products. The real purpose of the stain is to seal and protect the material, used in combo I don't see how it works.
I stain usually with those sponge brushes, then wipe with old rags, how long you let it sit controls the tone. You can even do a second coat for more protection and to get the color you want

Depending on time etc, I may not let the stain dry throughly. I will coat over it in an hour or two.

Most people say sand between coats with Steel wool. I found Wet sanding is much better.

When done between coats you don't even have to do a great job of removing the dust, but do wipe it with a rag. The moisture from sanding should provide all the dampness needed. Anything left just gets absorbed into the next coat.
I use my compressor sometimes to clean out the grain.

Thickness and number of coats is determined by the amount of protection needed and how well you want the grain texture visible.

Something else you can experiment with is use flat, or semi for the first two coats then gloss for the final. Even reverse if the final is going to be a flat finish. I do this sometimes just to use up older supplies.

Like Wax, I like Varathane products, but use whatever you find that works for you. I've used MinWax too, and have no complaints.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.