Couldn't have a more different experience than you George.
I use both Deft spray and brush on Lacquer. I have a 1 quart can of brush on for dipping that I've been using for well over a year, dipping straight in the can and it is just as good today as the day I bought it (about 1/3 less in the can though).
For the spray, I get nice glossy finishes that if done right, need very little polishing after curing to even out.
Dipping leaves a layer about the thickness of 4 coats of spray, but I can put 6 coats of spray on in the time of 1 dip so I do that more often now.
The trick that I've found is technique. I spray with the bushings in place and on the lathe. spinning by hand till I'm satisfied with coverage. I then remove from the lathe and stand on end to allow to self level and dry to touch. Next coat goes on the same but stood on opposite bushing. repeat until it is the thickness you want plus a little, then let cure a LOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGG time. Then go back to the lathe and polish with MM to even everythign out and bring back to final size.
For dipping, basically the same but takes longer drying to touch time, and fewer dips are need to get to thickness.
Fair enough mate, there are always more than one way to skin the cat, apart from a huge variety of products sold worldwide, and all have its characteristics, one of the main factors of products "reactions" shelve time, performance and applications methods, just to name a few, there is one major important factor, there is the temperature and humidity averages of where we are, and certainly, in my neck of the woods, shelve life as an example is proportional to heat the product is exposed to even in a work-shop or shed.
Up here, hot temperatures play a major part in most of these type products, I have regularly, particularly in summer time where the shed reaches 50C++, a new tin of varnish as an example, open 2 or 3 times just to pour into other container (no contamination) in those times, means a gelled to rubbery varnish in less than 6 weeks, dipping wood into the can a couple times a day for a week and whatever is left regardless, will gel...!
I have actually made a thread about this exact problem, last year
here nevertheless, I'm sure many others out there have had similar experiences to cover my description and your and anything else in between, I'm sure...!:wink::biggrin:
PS: And no...! the fridge is already loaded with enough chemicals, that shouldn't be there in the first place, only a big fridge and a very understanding wife, makes that possible...!
Cheers
George