I am building a exterior handrail that will have a molded bronze caprail.

is it best to let it patina naturally, clear coat or wax?

thank yall 

That really depends on a number of things. What's the weather like, Mojave desert, Oregon rain forest, coast, or? Another is traffic, if there's a lot of traffic say a stair case banister it will be polished but with human hand oil so will develop a different kind of variegated color patina. Clear coat will wear as will wax.

I wish I had a better answer or thought ramble. I think best depends on lots of things, not the least of which your taste. On the upside if you decide you don't like how the colors are developing you can always buff it to bare bronze and try something else. 

THE book on the subject is "The Coloring Bronzing and Patination of Metals" by Richard Hughes. I have it around somewhere but I don't know where, I don't patina much beyond taking a brass or copper brush to a forged piece to give it highlights. 

Frosty The Lucky.

I agree with Frosty.  The answer is a good lawyer response, "it depends."  There are lots of variables:  what color is desired, inside or outside, traffic, how corrosive or neutral is the environment, who will be providing maintenance, how often will there be maintenance, etc., etc., etc..  I don't think we can give a valid response without knowing some of these.

"By hammer and hand all arts do stand."

Thank y’all for your replies!

it is a private residence so low traffic.

central Alabama weather heat, humidity and rain.

i think the customer will just let it age naturally 

And a good choice it is, by far the easiest to maintain. 

Frosty The Lucky.