Ralph - My heart goes out to you. Good luck with the repair. Try not to beat yourself up.
(General ramblings from a non-lutheir / average joe)......I am often amazed when I see a vintage guitar with an original NCL finish that is in great shape. Most of the NCL finish "Best Practices" I learned from those that learned it the hard way. Perhaps that would make for a great “sticky” thread.
I'm at the crossroads regarding how I feel about NCL as a finish material. Some folks advocate for a NCL finish because of tradition, the way it wears, or a belief that it provides a superior sound over other finishes. My favorite guitar does have a NCL finish. However, if it would sound just as good with a more durable finish, I'd prefer that. I question many of the “traditionalist” beliefs, such as the benefits of hide glue, without an objective study. Many would label me a heretic for those words. Without solid information, I try to evaluate individual guitars by their sound. That is often easier said than done. I do believe nitrocellulose lacquer can maintain its beauty, but it is more fragile and prone to checking, hazing, melting, and wearing.
More could be done to objectively learn what materials do and don’t provide a superior sound, but the market is small. I also believe the market is also dominated by nostalgia and traditionalists, which has its pros and cons. Sheesh, I'm now probably going to be branded as both a heretic and radical. (end general ramblings)