Brodak is butyrate, except they sell nitrate clear for base coats. A lot of guys use nitrate for the sealer coats on the bare wood. I've done it with nitrate and butyrate. Only difference is that the nitrate is a little stickier maybe.

I use their thinner, but Dupont 3608S thinner works good, too. I just haven't tracked down a source of the Dupont thinner yet. When I find it I'll change over. Just be sure to use the same thinner all the way through. Changing thinner in midstream may be the cause of some compatablility problems.

You can order Brodak from Brodak direct or from Len Neumann. Dope lasts almost forever as long as it is stored cool, with the cans upside down so the air can't get in. REally, turn the cans on their heads. It works.

The slick finishes are a result of lots and lots of wet sanding and buffing. I've done just enough to appreciate how much work a really fine finish is. For instance, Windy Urtnowski sprays a full quart of clear as the top coats on his planes. He says that he spends about 100 hours sanding a finish. If you want to see how the real hot shoes do a finish, get some of Windy's tapes on painting. Zowee.