FBJ,
You have been one astute and observant lurker,
I also appreciate the way you outline and document a question and answer.
4 coats, wow. 1 coat will do the job but isn't pretty, HiTek is a stain, the first coat fills the pores and bonds to the lead, the rest is garnish. Most people go 2 coats, more if they want to fatten the boolit.