If you are going to use natural cane, varnish after caning. You should not varnish the cane since it is a natural product it needs to "breathe". However, I must admit that I varnish mine with no ill effect.

If you use plastic cane lacing, you can finish the seat frame before caning, use a bit of vaseline while lacing with plastic cane to reduce the friction.

Glen in Baie-St-Paul.