[labdude]

Time is a problem here, for the answer. LInda says for me to tape the procees I use for everything, then post the movie.
Will do...in time.
For now, to answer the question on what I do. Not that it is written in stone as the only way.
Upper or lower.
Being right handed, reverse for left handed.
I start at the most posterior point on the part that is closest to me. Say it's a lower, I start at the LR 6.5. 6.5 as I always start beyond where the appliance will be finished to. In this case, finished to the 6.
I will lay powder first, 6.5 to the 4, at most. Sometimes less. I consentrate on the acrylic on the gingival and tooth surface mostly. The areas down on the tissue almost are always filled corectly. Unusual shape of the structure of the bone on some requires more attention. On the average case, no.
Then I work forward to the 3 or 2, not more. Then I go to the let 3, at most.(remember this is a lower I'm describing)
Then form that left 3 to maybe half of the left 6. Then a final to do to the left 6.5 area.
Uppers are then same/ I start at the Ul 6.5. And do it exactly the same. It only varies due to bone shape. Some almost have a shelf reaching to the gingival, takes more time and I cover less ground at a time.
I do this and set the first aside. I do a second, set it aside. Then a third. Then on the pot.
Before I set a case aside, I cover it with a layer of clear powder to prevent slumping. Also, slumping is not a problem if you lay on the correct amount of acrylic.
To thick, you may experience the problem of distortion you are describing. To thin, well, is just to thin. You will have to fix that with a build up. Repair the thin if you catch it, before you remove it from the model.
I hate to bring it up, but, the only time I got a complaint about the shrinkage is when I was just crusing along for a few months, and missed the fact that I was making them to thick. Easy to do as you get faster. You can only go so fast. To fast is just as bad as to slow. It's like pumicing, it takes what it takes, time wise, to achieve a good result. Pumice is to coarse you get scratches, to fine takes to long.
Sorry, I know my posts are sometimes long, but, It ain't really simple.