Sounds like the question is answered, but: I've worked with Marine Epoxy a lot, and am confident that it would not obscure or cloud the grain of the wood in the least...it might affect what finish you put on it, but it could be made to look ok, if a bit heavy in weight and overly "built up". However, many clear epoxies are subject to significant yellowing with exposure to sunlight unless a UV-inhibiting finish is used (spar varnish in the applications I'm familiar with)...I imagine it could be done, but the cost of doing a good job might be as expensive or significantly more so than just having the stock bent...good epoxy isn't cheap.
