No, not thinned. Applied with a dauber, one coat circular, another one way, then the other, at one time. Let dry overnight. I do have to say not every bottle is ths same. The last "light brown" I bought was considerably darker. I also do a "streaked" look that folks like. I just start at one corner and drag the dauber across diagonally. It leaves heavier and lighter streaks across the leather. Questions are how we learn, I have many! Also, I dye before wet molding.