Jeff - I'm going over -raw- wood and I'm using Miniwax spray (satin finish) polyurethane. I -have to- do more than one coat because I do light coats and the wood soaks up the first pass. I sand with 00-00 steelwool and hit them a second time. The second pass is all that it needs. All that 'heavy-coats' stuff is strictly amateur.
Not my first rodeo...
The hoops look beautiful and I should have them on the bass drum tonight. I'll take some shots for you and for the guys who have been following the project a bit later on tonight/late.
John