As far as I know, you have to dissolve the flakes in alcohol first, keep it in a jar or something. Some brush it on then use the prepared cloth to smooth the lacquer out. It dries surprisingly quickly, and many layers can be added in a short time.
I can't find the vide at the moment. I think it showed a work day at the Singer factory in Clydesbank in 1930. It wasn't on youtube, but some kind of museum - history site.