preserving old inscrpitions (lamp black and oil )

Hello all..
I am currently prepping an old frame for its re-erection by wire wheel, and a subsequent application of raw linseed oil & turpentine. There are certain areas of the frame with baling weight counts, harvest dates,initials et al that I would like to preserve. Does anyone have a suggestion for coating these areas to both mainain their clarity and to provide a better visual transition between them and the brushed/oiled areas ?
Thanks
Mike

Michael,

if your are going to oil everything anyway the carvings will stand out more since they will usually stain a bit darker than the rest because of the exposed endgrain inside. Not sure if this is what you are looking for though.

Hi
What do you mean "prepping ... by wire wheel". Why do you want to coat the frame with oil?

JIm