I am at Step 4:"* Coat 4: Lightly sand with P400 sandpaper. All you want to do is remove the defects like dust nibs and create a toothy surface. Wipe off dust with a mineral spirits dampened clean rag. Thin varnish 10% or so with mineral spirits. Pull out your best brush. Carefully brush on a light coat. When you finish a section, "tip off." Leave the area while the varnish dries. "

An update on the color match of the odd fluted trim pcs- I read as much as I could and decided to mix a little Zar Light Cherry Stain in a small amt of the Waterlox until I got the pieces to blend with the rest of the body of the bar, which was a furniture grade red oak finishing with only the Waterlox. I cannot tell which pcs have the stain added & which are straight Waterlox. I Am Proud!! So far, I think you would grade this project an A-.
It is taking a long time - rainy, cold weather - so this wkend I set up the dehumidifer & it is helping alot.
Sorry to be so long.........I just wanted to also let you know what a good student I have been, and your efforts to educate me and help me have paid off - for me anyway - I cannot Thank You enough!!!

Items you'll find about any hardware store.

More colors (96) than you'll know what to do with

If you want a smooth as a baby's butt finish, let the finish cure for a couple of weeks, get some 0000 steel wool and furniture wax and rub out the imperfections, then buff off the wax with a soft cloth.

I was in a ~$1.5Million house today (on the golf course). Still being finished up. The woodwork was awful. Doors were all splotchy, trim work showed where every nail hole was (filled with putty that wasn't high enough), then painted brown. Fireplace surround had planer marks jumping out because of the stain. I'm glad your job worked out well for you!