Paipo and alaia finishing touches issues

So it’s my first time doing polyurethane coats and I have a few things I’m wondering about.

I feel like Im either adding too much or too little per layer. too little and any minor cracks and chips become seemingly unsealed despite covering them in the urethane. Too much and its difficult to sand off a thick goo and look good. Lastly, for the final layer, how do I get it smooth and nice and not gooey or uneven (due to the natural contours or the wood). No sanding after last layer is on right?