Roger -- Thank you for your insights. Question: How easy or difficult is it to repair an item that has been finished with VNC? For example, say a piece is handled frequently and the finish is worn through in a couple of spots. Can you simply apply another coat, or do you need to sand back to the bare wood? With many film finishes, a new coat will lay on top of the prior coats -- leading to layers of finish that will show through if you try to simply touch up a wear spot or fill a scratch. (That's not the case with a true lacquer. The new coat will melt into the prior coats, leaving just one layer of finish. That can make a lacquer finish easier to repair.)
I ask because reparability is major consideration for me with items that will be handled frequently. For those, I generally prefer to use a polymerizing oil (such as walnut and BLO). It's not as durable as most film finishes, but it's much easier to repair with just another coat of oil.
David Walser
Mesa, Arizona