number of "coats" of paint

clear depends on the paint. I have NEVER heard of anyone putting on 15 coats of clear enamel or urethane, it was always clear laquer, and then, a lot of them would say they sanded between each coat. Laquer is usually so thin, sanding between each coat takes most of that coat off anyway. I never understood that part. I always put on one light "tack coat" and then 2 wet coats of clear when doing urethane. More if it is laquer and I am going to cut and buff it.