: I finished sanding and applied the Solar Lux today. Boy, was that next to
: impossible! I made the mistake of using a foam brush at first, but it soon
: disintegrated. The stain dries so fast that you have to keep moving and
: blending, impossibly fast it seems, even with the max amount of retarder.
: I took my t-shirt off and used it in a pinch.

I use a rag to apply it. I get the rag good and wet with the stain and work very fast, and then plan on two coats. I have gone over the whole thing after with the Solar Lux Reducer which helped even things out well - your use of water probably did the same. I don't think water would work once the stain is truly dry.