PMSpirito, if you used the wipe-on, you are a few coats short of having a
sufficient protective film. You should apply at least two "full" coats, when
brushing. When wiping-on, figure three applications equals one brushed coat.
Thus, a bare minimum of at least six coats should be applied. I think you
should equal the thickness of three brushed coats.
You should apply a "set" of about three wipe-on coats at a time. No need to
sand, each coat, as you only need to wait until a coat is tackless and then
just apply the next coat of a "set." Let those three coats dry for eight hours
or more and then apply another set. It is not untypical to apply three sets.
This works best for gloss poly. If satin is used you really have to stir, stir, stir
the poly to ensure the flatteners don't settle. If they do, you will have a streaked
surface. I usually wipe-on two "sets" of gloss and brush on the last coat ... a satin.
By the way, you can easily make your own wipe-on poly by mixing regular poly
with mineral spirits ... 50/50. Save a bit of money!!