(1) Start out spraying several medium coats of lacquer sanding sealer waiting about 3-5 minutes between coats. Let it dry overnight then sand it smooth with fine grit dry sandpaper. Spray several more coats of sealer and repeated the process for a total of four applications.
"I was trying to seal as much of the open grain as possible as I didn't use any grain filler. Grain filler, if you can find it (which I couldn't) would have saved all those extra coats of sealer. I never did get all the grain filled and the slightly opened grain shows through on my finished product when held towards the light. Personally it doesn't bother me and actually gives it character."
(2) Spray on a tack coat of the butterscotch color coat. After that sets for about ten minutes come back with several light to medium coats. Be careful not to spray too thick and hide the all the pretty wood grain as you will do this process one more time. Let that dry for a couple of days then wet sanded with 400 grit, using water containing a drop of dish soap. The dish soap prevents the build up of dried lacquer residue on the sandpaper. After sanding, spray on another tack coat followed by a couple more light to medium coats of color until you achieve the transparency you desire. Let that dry for a few days then sand again. Be careful not to sand through the finish and be extremely careful when sanding near and around the edges.
"I used a rectangular rubber pencil eraser to keep then sanding process nice and flat/level."
(3) Now it's time for the clear coat. Follow the exact same process as with the color coat except spray it on fairly heavy after a good tack coat has been applied. Be careful of developing runs if sprayed too thick. After about three applications of clear, letting it dry and sanding between coats, allowed it to cure for about seven days (some recommend 30 days) then wet sanded with 600 grit then 1200 grit wet sanding paper. Caution: do not use spray cans of Deft or Krylon clear lacquer or Dupli Color acrylic clear lacquer as it will never dry hard.
(4) Polished it out using Meguiars fine grit polishing media.
(5) Next step, assemble and play.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)