Great review Troy.
I would recommend using more product in the future. A lot of times we get caught up in "less is more" (which definitely applies to some products) that we apply that principle to every aspect of detailing.
In order for the wax to protect the paint as it should (while also making it glossy and slick), you need to ensure an ample amount of product is applied to coat the panel. I believe you used two sprays on that portion of the hood. I would have used 4-5 sprays for just that part of the hood. Having more product on the surface also provides lubrication, which helps prevent any marring.
Ensuring enough product is actually applied to work as intended will yield even better results. When I say better results, I'm referring to gloss, slickness, and longevity.