Someone posted previously that "super glue" is good to fill in fine cracks and crazing. Just a thought.
For my cracks, I used a tube putty. It is an extrusion of the A and B parts- you knead it together to blend the colors then mash it in the cracks. I was pleased with the results so far. Like you, I tried to do most of my smoothing shortly before setting.
Santa must have read my wish list because he brought me the complete Eastwood products to repaint my steering wheel. I borrowed a steering wheel puller from the FLAPS yesterday, but didn't realize it contained the wrong bolts. Today I buy bolts so I can pull the wheel. We're having unseasonably warm temperatures this week and I'm hoping to get the wheel painted by Sunday. I'll try to take some pictures for posterity.
Bill