Pads: Peas vs. X's (at least with Menzerna)
 

So, I know there's a few methods for applying polishes to your pads: 3 pea-sized drops (I think Moe advocates this), X (or crosses) across the pad, circles, rubbing the polish into the pad, etc.

After experimenting with a few different methods, and based on the need to break-down the Menzerna polishes, I think going with Moe's 3-pea sized drops works the best. My method has been to slowly do 6-8 passes per section and only use a relatively small section (e.g., half of a door, or 1/4 of the hood).

The other methods resulted, at least for me, in having to do many more passes in order to break down the polish (i.e., where the polish basically becomes transparent/the paint becomes glossy); which is to say the other methods resulted in too much product being used.

Hopefully this is correct :P

To start on a fresh pad, I put it at 12-3-6-9 o'clock. Once you begin polishing, there's enough polish in the pad to not need as much product. You then can just put a dime-size amount on the actual panel and keep polishing. This way, the machine never turns off, you keep dabbing polish on the car, and the process moves more fluidly.

I'm currently working on another technique I saw someone else do that was intriguing. It produces much better results than I'm use to, but I want to make sure it's easily duplicated. Will keep you guys posted.

Peas on earth to all men :)

Amount of Polish
Place a small amount (approx 3 x 1/16th-inch diameter dots or a 1 ½ x 1 ½ -inch X) of polish onto the centre of a clean primed pad. Approximately 3 – 5 oz for a mid-sized vehicle
Polishing pads can "load-up" with residues reducing their effectiveness; you should always be able to see the pores of the pad.
Don't let polish residues dry in the pad as dried hardened polish can cause scratches. If you don't want to stop in the middle of polishing to clean pads, plan on using 2 - 4 pads for each polishing step on the average vehicle. Don't let polish residues dry in the pad