Quoted from beelzeboob:I don't level it out. I think that's overkill, but have found putting down clear over the top as a last step helps even it out. I think anyone that sands their stenciled art is playing with fire.
I'd also Wait more than a few days before putting down a second color. You could get wrinkling in the layers. I wait two weeks to stay safe... I learned the hard way
Good tip, think I'll let it sit for awhile. The weather has been very humid here and doesn't seem to want to clear out. Certainly don't want to f it up at this point. I've sanded the base coat, repainted, sanded again, to get it flat. I even wet sanded it with 800, 1000, and 1500, and it felt like glass. Then applied the final base coat and it looked better. Hate rattle can paint...