Hi,
For what it is worth, I use a 100.00 Finex Gun with a .08 tip.
I also use a 2k Speed Clear with a flow enhancer and there is no orange peel to consider.
I never wet sand with a grit lower than 1200 and do not spin my cues for wet sanding or buffing. If you don't spin there are never scratches or swirl marks and you can achieve a clear and deep luster. Heat during buffing is your friend and enemy as well so you must understand that fact to control heat during buffing. A tricky business for sure.
The finish on your cue is one of the most important features and it takes many years to refine your methods. The most important is not how your cue looks after you buff it but how does your finish and substrate hold up after years of use in the field. That is the true test of the finish procedure because of shrinkage, oxidation and numerous other factors.
Good luck in your journey spraying your cues. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of cue making when you get it right.
JMOs,
Rick