I used to try to get it in the tube, which makes application easy. I think a caulking gun is easier still, but harder to transport.

These days, I just go straight from the tub (my local hardware stores only cary the tub). I just use a broken prop to scoop it out and spread it on. It's pretty quick with a little practice. Sometimes I'll use a finger to do a last smoothing and spreading.

Getting it off a forearm is a bit annoying. I good wipe with a paper towl will get most of it, then some kind of solvent. Rubbing alchol seems to work in the shop to get it off of things, but I haven't tried it in the field. At a contest, I usually just wipe with a paper towl and live with it until later. But I'm also one of those guys that, by the end of the contest, wind up pretty much covered in dirt, oil, sweat, stickem, whatever else is around. You won't see me on the cover of GQ, that's for sure.