I have used well over 20 different coatings (counting paint, trim, wheels, glass) from several different brands for over several years. I have been accredited now by 4 different companies. My first time using a new coating can be at times seamless (more below) and also challenging.  I do not want you to be intimidated, but I do not want you to be arrogant either when trying a new product, especially a professional only coating.

With respect to advancements in the formulations of ceramic coatings, the ease of use is better than it has been before.  This is even more the case with consumer coatings.  With professional coatings, your window of error or ease of use in general shrinks.  What you use towel wise to remove the excess product often matters more than with consumer level coatings.  Experience with a variety of coatings, even in a variety of environments matters.  A few conversations with people more experienced than you who have experience using the coating you are applying is often going to help you tremendously as you gain experience.

Your window of time in regards to addressing high-spots easily, decreases.  Many people will mention the consequences of needing more aggressive methods to remove high-spots, but an understated consequence is the time window which those consequences changes.  You have less time to catch a problem.  You have less time for the appropriate step 1 or step 2 to 3 to fix a high spot.

You need to care even more about heat and humidity, and also how to adjust amount and working area of the product.  Subtle environmental shifts from a garage to even your shop may mandate sudden technique changes on the fly.

In conclusion, I am not one of these people who spends their waking days ranting about ego driven detailers, but this is a case where it is relevant.  Do not let the narrative or talking points of other people to get you in an uncomfortable spot.  The attitude of “you are good” when you are not.  The attitude of “I only use two towels,” when that insurance towel at a minimum would be wise to have.  Even a practice panel might serve you well.  I cannot emphasize enough the value in having a healthy dialogue  with your product representative and mentors who are accredited with the same coating as you.

I have found from less experienced detailers many of the problems and frustrations that they lay on the coating come from being cheap in their methods.  That includes but not limited to stretching a bottle’s contents a little more than recommended.  This can lead application error, difficulty, and shortcomings in performance.