When I buff the paper (with a soft rag) I rub the paper *very* hard. It
is quite the aerobic workout -- I'm prespiring and breathing fairly
heavily after the work required for just a couple of 8x10's. The next
day my arm was sore from the labor on 10 sheets of paper the night before.
The paper when done is as smooth or possibly smoother than the original
uncoated paper -- quite literally, polished. I have looked at finished
prints with a 10X loupe and I can barely discern any fibers whereas
Platine usually looks like a fiber jungle.
After buffing there is a faint trace of yellow on the rag.
Good luck,
David