Apply the sealer with a towel and let sit for 3-5 minutes just like the directions say. I found that the sealer became tacky during this time, and that makes it hard to remove. So what you do is use two towels for removal: one clean and dry and one slightly dampened with the sealer. Wipe the counter with the damp towel and then buff to a shine with the dry one. (Just like in the "Karate Kid" when he was doing "wax on, wax off"...) This will give you a perfect application with no streaks.