I have been asked to engrave a name and graphic on a piece of white oak that will be attached to the gate of a round pen. Right now the piece is pretty rough. The customer wants to keep the rough look but am wondering if should plane it down a little bit to improve the quality of the engraving. If it is really rough and "tufted" won't the weather and such wear away the engraving? Or should it be finished with something after completed. It needs to look as natural as the rest of the round pen so cannot be shiny or anything. I just don't want them to come back soon and tell me the engraving disappeared. Anyone with experience with natural white oak? The experimental piece turned out really nice and dark but want it to stay that way.