Bryce - might have something to do with it but I've also done my wife's 04 Benz we got last September, A while ago a used Volvo that was in terrible shape and I also did Imafink with him about 3-4 weeks ago. Now the Volvo took an entire Zaino claybar which was cut into two pieces. Pat Fink told me it had been awhile since he waxed his car. These were all done using a spray bottle with good ol' H20.
I do small sections maybe 1 foot to a foot and a half square and I squirt the surface down real good and I've never had an issue and the cars have all come out smooth as glass, in fact that was the first thing Imafinks wife noticed. If you want or have to use the detail spray by all means use it, I'm just stating what works for me. Again it might have something to do with Zaino's clay. By the way it was an auto detailer by trade that told me that H20 works, he said that Mothers, Zaino etc just want to sell you more detailing spray. I was skeptical at first, just like you and Mike but it works for me. Oddly enough I've even clayed in direct sun. I agree on a really old, really dirty finish you'll probably have to use more than water but I never let my cars get that bad. The Benz wasn't here 24 hours before it was clayed, Zaino's and wheel wells and brake calipers painted. When we took it back to the dealer for a service the service writer told me he was amazed how much nicer the car looked, they had prep'd it when it came in and he said the difference was noticeable.
I have always kept a small piece of clay for emergencies like a bird who thinks my car looks like a toilet in a plastic bag, in a cool, dry place so it doesn't dry out but for the most part once its used I toss it. Zaino gives you two bars, I cut one in half and that's what I use, it only takes half a bar to do my car. I do appreciate the input.
Here's a question what kind of buffing pads does everyone use? I use a gray colored foam pad but I'm wondering if there isn't something that would be better to use? I tried a red colored pad but that almost seems too soft. I'm wondering if there isn't a cloth pad?
Pat