Thank you for the clarification Scott! I misunderstoond a wipe-on varnish application because I am so used to the Sam Maloof stuff. You wipe/brush it on and let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe the excess off. After reading the Fine Woodworking article, looking back at your posts, and digging around again then it was a clear misunderstanding. That would have made it a ton better/easier. :-) Although I have to say with careful application with the brush I was able to get quite a finish on the base. The base is all done and just letting it cure for a few days to make my final determination on how smooth it is but right now it is VERY smooth.
I am spraying the chairs. So far it has gone on ok. Can't beat the speed but knowing now that you don't have to wipe off the excess then I think that wiping on may actually provide a more consistent finish without wasting so much material so I am going to try it again.
Hopefully posting pictures of the finished product on Friday.