I use one of those blue applicators with the grippy thing.
I will put some product on the pad, and then skip it across the surface, so i get alittle here, alittle there, then work the product into the area that there is product.
I can apply it so thin, it is hard to tell when it is dry on even medium colored vehicles, i just looks clear, more of a smudge.
I tried it with a MF applicator, and it worked ok, but i didnt like it as much. The foam i can push down on and get alittle more product out of the pad.
The PC is really nice to use also. Very thin, very quick, but cleaning your pad after isnt easy, works best on a polishing pad, not a finishing one.
I couldnt get the product out of my polishing pad, so i misted it with some QD, and did the wifes car with AIO.
The AIO broke down, or i used up, all the NXT and the pad came clean. This was after a whole car, so it makes sense.
NXT is hard to remove if any sun hits it at all, but in the shade, and thin, no problem.