wood mast/cable protection

[mariner2k]

My shrouds are spliced cable on thumb cleats. There has never been any wrapping on the loops where they slip over the mast. Recently I've removed everything to refinish the mast. The cables have done surprisingly little damage on the mast but I'm sure it will effect the new varnish. My question is, what are some of the ways to wrap the loops to protect the mast, traditional or otherwise?
Thanks