Melamine lacquer can be a pain to apply evenly, hence the 50/50 mix with cellulose thinners. Two coats to penetrate, and a neat coat at the end to add the final layer. De-nibbing between each coat with nyweb.
It can give a VERY high gloss (not to my taste though) indeed. I burnish with chestnut burnishing cream whilst on the lathe. It can be a scary process the first time you do it...you'll see it suddenly go very dull, but keep working a soft cloth over the surface (moving constantly) and the shine will come. It's like T cutting the car (not that I ever do that!).
I used a wax and oil final finish to knock it back a little. Too shiny!
Hope this helps.