i had access to a nice tool today and i like to share the first results.
it is a perking-elmer ftir.
what an ftir iexactly does you can read here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourier_transform_spectroscopy
in short:you can analyze a sample for its content.
so i took some samples of my chip jar.
must be apollo lacquers, maybe some transco's as well.
not very scientific for the moment. but i will publish more.
next ones with lot number and brand.
would also be interesting to do it with old laquers. i have pyral from 1964 and 1989. and maybe you can send me some. i just need a piece of about 1-2mm.
check here:

on the screenshot you can see spectral lines of two different laquer samples.
i think apollo
and then the spectral lines of nitro-celulose and of castor oil.
i know almost nothing yet about ftir. but maybe there is someone out who knows about that stuff or can help to find out all the ingredients of the different laquer brands...
maybe i will also do an updated analysis of apollo, transco and mdc laquers. that could help to understand why a particular laquer makes trouble... if the composition changes, it shows clearly on the spectral lines...
f.