Scrub the nails and cuticles with a soft toothbrush and soap and water. Rinse really well! Dry the nails and skin with a lint free towel - preferably a good quality paper towel. File the free edge with a 240 grit file; you can get these at most beauty supply stores, but be SURE it is a 240 grit file. After filing, buff the free edge with a 3-way buffer; black to refine, white to shine and grey to seal. If the free edge is sealed in this manner, it cannot chip. Next, scrub the nails again to get rid of any traces of nail dust. Rinse and dry really well. Dampen a lint free wipe with Pure Acetone (also available at beauty supply stores.) This will rid the surface of any moisture and allow the Base coat to better grip the nail plate surface. Apply your base coat and allow to dry (usually 1 minute.) Apply your first THIN coat of color and allow to dry. If you apply too thick a coating, it will not cure properly, and will chip and peel. Apply a second THIN coating and allow to dry. Follow with a thin coating of top coat.