Somehow I missed this last post. My local Ace Hardware (Tomassini REX Hardware in Petaluma, CA) has the varnish I favor on the shelf for sale when I looked just days ago. I cannot see why any other ACE couldn't get it for you. I am also fooling around with Murdoch's Alkyd 500 gloss floor varnish, and find the two can be mixed to adjust the hardness of the film.
The classical guitar this thread features is now through the curing process, and I have in fact buffed it out to a beautiful luster. In the next couple of days I will make and install a bridge, install the tuners, and put on a set of strings. It is my plan to deliver it on Friday 1/17.
