Hey Mike, if you where here you would see how smooth the microballoons are when I apply them right after rolling out the resin. I've done 4 planes like this now and the results seem pretty fantastic. I also think that applying the MBs early helps absorb any excess resin and can be remove by sanding...

I thnk everybody will develop his or her's own techniques. As I have from my mentors, yourself, the late great Jim Ivey and Bryan Hebert.

The bottom line is one needs to find his way and stick to it.