Nick,
I had the same problem when I first started using CCG so I started pushing it out on a blotter and applying it with a bodkin but still had some waste so I purchased the bottle of tack free which has a brush applicator in the cap and I just pull out the brush to the point where I can just scrape a little off with my bodkin and dab as much or as little as I want according to what I am trying to accomplish then I just carefully slide the brush applicator back in the bottle and there is no waste. I hope this helps.
HDF
