Originally Posted by Davey

I've decided I hate wood finishing. I do not have the patience for it, and it does not appear that I am very good at learning to be patient, despite being well-aware that by rushing the job I end up creating more work for myself.

Put a ******* coat on it and let it sit for 24 hours?

Hell no. Put a coat on it, look at it in an hour. Get a thumb print. Wait a few more hours until it feels sort of dry and steel wool the thumbprint out but oops, it wasn't really dry so the finish smeared and tore and got discolored grey crap in it so get out the acetone and take it down to the wood and then do the same thing again tomorrow.