[JimZ]

Agree. At the same time I understand why nearly a generation of guys don't understand lacquer process.
Poly has its uses but radio cabinets or period furniture isn't among them. I think a lot of guys have an unfounded fear of lacquer simply because they haven't tried the product...plus weve had poly products nearly shoved down our throats for quite awhile.
As pointed out..poly finishes are a bear to remove and usually necessitate prepared paint strippers.
Pretty much any novice will learn the lacquer benefits with some simple experimentation. Try a can of Deft and
mess with using it on different wood samples. Then try stripping it off a few of those samples with lacquer thinner.
It's benefits and logic are self evident.