The Minwax Stain'n'Seal contains a bit of Boiled Linseed Oil, which helps to polymerize and cure the CA fast while letting it smooth on.
I use a type of low lint paper towel for my applicator (blue shop towels from an auto parts store). I fold it over 3 times in the same direction to create a long pad, and then cut that into 3/4" lengths for individual pads to use.
I apply a few drops of the Minwax to the pad, and apply at low speed on the lathe .... I can take it up to high speed if I want, but I want low speed for the CA application.
Immediately after I finish rubbing the Minwax all over the blanks, I apply a few drops of CA to the same applicator pad and apply it to the blank, rubbing from one end to the other and back again, completing 3 passes within 10 seconds ... and then I toss the applicator and don't touch the blank till I'm sure it's cured (I usually sit down and watch some anime ... 5 minutes is fine, but it's usually dried to the touch within 10 - 20 seconds).
After the first layer is cured, I add pure CA (no more Minwax) for each subsequent layer, up to 12 layers total. I then sand with 1000 grit (wet), proceed to micro mesh all the way up to 12,000 grit, and polish with Plast-X. Turtle Wax is my protectant of choice after polishing. Meguiar's Plast-X and Turtle Wax Hard Surface (liquid) I get at the auto parts store, with the blue shop towels.