I think you guys are spending way too much time on the application. I just used a greenie and dish soap to clean the cladding, quick and dirty. I then brushed it on with a crappy Harbor Freight paint brush. No fancy feathering, not sponging, one coat covered it just fine. The imperfections will wash out over time. I have had mine covered in mud, dragged across a mud bank, scratched the cladding, its still black. Great stuff!!!