I've got a 1950s woodrail game where I'm going to have to refinish all the wood: front rail, side rails, head trim, and legs. Finish work isn't something I have a lot of experience with, so I wanted to reach out and ask those who have done more in this area.

Do you use lacquer for your rails? Do you have a preferred brand? Do you brush or spray the finish? Do you sand the finish in the end to get a smoother look? Do you use gloss or another sheen level? I've been reading about nitrocellulose lacquer, which I understand is used on musical instruments and has an amber tint that deepens with additional coats. (I like the amber angle because 60-year old woodrails with their original finish look amber or yellowed.) Has anyone used nitrocellulose on their game? If you brush, what kind of brush and brand would you recommend?

As you can tell, I'm casting about for any bit of advice that you can share. Thanks for sharing your thoughts...