C13,
Yes, just personal preference.
I wipe on varnish with a cut coffee filter as an applicator. Read that someone on this board uses it too to reduce lint. It is better for application than the nylon t-shirt pieces I used prior. There are filters that are linty too though- test on scrap wood before on your rod. Sorry not sure of the brand- just grabbed some from the office.
Getting ready to move next year so I will build a dip tube station once situated. I'm very happy with the wiped on method but I've seen some pics of DLeo's (FAOL member) rods and they look gorgeous dipped.
"I envy not him that eats better meat than I do, nor him that is richer, or that wears better clothes than I do; I envy nobody but him, and him only that catches more fish than I do." Izaak Walton
God Bless and Tight Lines ----*<(((>< ~ ~ ~