You can apply Deft over a stained finish. If your brushing the finish you can get a good film buildup in 4 or 5 coats. If your spraying the Deft from a Deft can, expect to shoot 8-10 coats. In short. If your looking for a breushing lacquer Deft is pretty good and you can have a nice build with a few coats. The Deft spray cans are better suited for touch up unless your happy with a thing film finish.
Bill