I have polished to 1000 quite a few times. To get the first few applications to "bite," I simply use a very minimally damp applicator and wipe repeatedly and evenly. Thus has always been sufficient, but I can think of a few other ways to reduce surface tension in the solutions that would also help.

_________
BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
=>/

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]