Priming the pad

Throughout this forum I have read that you can prime a pad by applying a x pattern on the pad itself. With that x do you go directly to the paint or do you rub in the product that is on the pad first then apply more product on the vehicle and work it. This might sound confusing but I couldn`t find a better way to ask this question.

I dampen the pad slightly either by misting with water or with S&W. Then I put the product on the pad, smear it around the panel I`m working on, then crank up the PC/rotary.