I am putting apox. 500 sq' of aussy cypress on a cathedral ceiling. I want to finish it before I put it up. My first mistake was buying unfinished. javascript:emoticon(':(')

There is quite a bit of pitch and knot marks that blead from the boards on to each other. I have started to wipe it off with laquer thinner. That seams to be the only thing that cuts it. Am I inducing to much moisture in to the wood doing this? Sanding out the machine marks is quite a job. Any suggestions? As tight grained as this wood is and the fact that I am using it on a ceiling, I have been considering lacquer. I found a water based lacquer from General finishes. With the amount on natural oil in this wood is the ideal of water base finish a mistake? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advanced
George K

Wiping it down with lacquer thinner is fine; it won't hurt the wood at all. If you are going to prefinish it before installing it, you have lots of choices. Spraying lacquer (nitrocellulose) would probably be prefered by many pro painters. It is fast and cheap. Another option is to use Zinsser's Seal Coat. It's a wax free shellac that can be brushed on, rolled or sprayed. And you can apply any finish you want over it, even lacquer. Waterbased finishes raise the grain so require you sand the wood very fine to help prevent that. They also are completely clear and impart no color, therefore, can look kinda drab. You also could use Waterlox, a great looking tung oil finish that is very easy to use.
https://www.waterlox.com/default.aspx
http://www.zinsser.com/product_detail.asp?ProductId=72

Gary,
Thanks I think I might go the way of spraying lacquer. Any suggestins on a brand to get. Not really looking forward to this. It has been years since i've sprayed it. I'll need good weater it will be an out side job on the right day or days. 500 sq'. What was I thinking. Should have spent the money on prefinished, but I really didn't have it.
Thanks
George

Most specialty paint stores carry their own brands of lacquers, which are usually cheaper than the few national brands I know, like Mac Lac. Sherwin-Williams has it's own brand and others. Around here, we have Kelly-Moore which carries their own brand of lacquers. Just go to any pro paint store; they'll have what you need.