Best clear coat for applying Vinyl to?

[second city]

We have wood panels (1/16" ply with pine edges) that we'll be applying printed vinyl to (face only). Currently the wood panels are raw and I'm planning on adding a few coats of clear to get better adhesion. I would prime and paint but the client wants to see the wood on the sides.

We haven't worked much with wood but I was thinking of using a Polyurethane (multiple coats with sanding in between each coat). Good idea? Bad idea? Better ideas? What will ensure the best bond with the vinyl?

With paint I usually allow 2-3 weeks for it to off gas sufficiently before applying vinyl.

Thanks,
Neal

 

[J Hill Designs]

when treating raw wood I use 2-3 coats of thinned down spar varnish, then 2 final coats of 'full flavor' spar varnish, sanding between