The application in a polishing manner is what the product is basically designed for. As a basecoat I recommend flat, semi-gloss or gloss black colors, depending on the subject you work at. Allow the material to link into something. If you have a superpolished black basecoat you may find out that the pigments not really adhere when you try to polish them in. The solution in this case would be a semi-flat basecoat. The shine will come when you polish the powders in.