Had to scrape it out like candle wax?
No, indeed, that does not sound normal. Mine poured out of the vial with a viscosity similar to motor oil (the hardener was clear, however). Check on the box and see if there is a date of manufacture; this stuff has a limited shelf life. When I got mine they sent a nice, fresh batch. Maybe that's the problem, or perhaps it froze, or ... I don't know. If it's dated and seems too old, you should complain. Then again, perhaps you should complain regardless.
Now, provided that all was NORMAL ....
I put three coats on two calipers all in one night. I just went back and forth; the previous coat would have set up enough to take another just as I got back to it from doing the previous one. The inference here is that you should be able to do 3 coats on both calipers on one side of the car in one night with 1/4 can of caliper paint.
But wow, that's the first time I've heard of problems with the hardener.