[notout86]

I have had a really good look at a sample of my Turtle Wax Ice liquid wax T-468R. I shook the bottle and spread a drop out on a mirror and looked thru a magnifying glass. There are LOTS of little yellowish lumps with a few larger 1mm. They feel almost gritty but squash out under your finger. I think they consist of carnauba wax softened with something. (Carnauba wax itself is too hard to squash).
Therefore, to squash out the c/w and ensure it is in a continuous film over the paint (when the softener has dried out) I believe you MUST rub it on hard if your product has the lumps. If it feels smooth then there's no need to rub hard.

My final fussy application method:
Put the awkwardly runny product in a spray bottle .. then you don't need to keep putting the cap down all the time in case you knock it over.
Pick a cool day preferably after rain i.e. airborne particles settled,and windless i.e. no fresh dust, indoors if possible .... you CAN use in sunlight and on a hot surface but it stands to reason that the longer the solvents stay in it the more chance it has to penetrate/dissolve any old wax or film and bond to the paint.
Squirt off grit with a strong jet.
Ideally you want to get right back to the clear coat, so if you are keen, spray a little kerosene or WD40 on to dissolve and liquify existing previous wax and oily road film. The next step will remove.
Wash with double strength car-detergent. Do not use a "Wash & Wax" type as you do not want to leave any residue that the Turtle Wax Ice liquid wax T-468R has to penetrate. Paint on all over with soft broom, let it soak in a bit then go over the loosened dirt with the broom again, not pressing and letting the tips of the bristles do the work flicking off the dirt, squirt off with strong jet and dry the car. Run the bristles of a soft brush through panel & other grooves to get excess water out. The product mixes with water so you do not need to be too fussy but water will dilute.
Spray a few patches over say a couple of square feet.
Quickly, while still liquid, rub it all over with your hand. You will have a thicker layer of liquid for longer to penetrate/dissolve your old wax and bond to the paint this way. It will not be very even with your hand alone. Therefore you should do the next step.
Before it dries, smooth evenly with the pad. If your sample has lumps, rub hard to squash and spread whatever they are so they join up.
Use one side of the microfibre cloth to quickly rub over and remove the oily-look. It will now look a bit dull.
Use another side of the cloth to buff to a glossy shine.