Same question here. I have turned a couple of nice stoppers, but can't get a good finish to save my life. I would love know how you achieved that.
I've tried just about everything searching for that great finish that's works well for me. After doing some research, I found Behlen's Qualalacq Lacquer and I love the stuff.
From Behlen: "This Nitrocellulose based lacquer is Behlen's top of the line clear spraying lacquer. It is highly resistant to alcohol, water, moderate heat and abrasion. It's been designed to form a hard film capable of taking punishment that would ruin most other lacquers and finishes."
A lot of custom guitar builders use Qualalacq Lacquer because it forms a very hard finish, it's UV resistance, and it doesn't effect the color of the wood. It dries quick and the finish is much harder than Deft or any other lacquer I've tried. I did try brushing it on, but it dries so quick that it doesn't flow evenly before it sets. Airbrushing works great as long as you are careful to give it a nice even coat. I usually lay on the first coat and follow up with a second coat about 15 minutes later. I let the second coat dry for 24 hours then lightly wet sand with 1200 sand paper to smooth out the surface and ensure there are no uneven spots in the finish. After wet sanding, I spray two more coats about 15 minutes a part. I let it dry at least 24 hours but usually 48 before wet sanding one more time then polish on the buffing wheel with the white diamond. I let the final coat cure at least a week from the time I sprayed it before I put it in the customer's hands.
The only real issue I've had with this lacquer is on cold "85+ humidity" mornings I get some blushing in the finish. Usually adding a little thinner to the lacquer before spraying fixes that. The blushing is right on the surface so a light wet sanding also clears it up. Oh, I also found that standard lacquer thinner doesn't work well with the Qualalacq Lacquer so I purchased their Qualalacq Lacquer thinner which works fine.
I like the feel of the finished Qualalacq Lacquer better than Enduro or any Poly I've tried and when the Qualalacq Lacquer is polished it looks like liquid glass and it doesn't have that plastic feel. I guess one more finishing technique to add to the many.
