Originally Posted by velociabstract
Limited funds version: Wash the car, rinse the car, clay the car with soap and water. Very little pressure is needed. You can go pretty fast just keep the area being clayed and the clay wet. Wash again and dry. Polish by hand. (First use something gentle) Forget the machine for now. Wax.
If you already have the detail spray use it as lubricant with the clay bar. It works better and is safer. Don't be stingy with the spray. You don't absolutely have to wash after claying if you used detail spray, however most will recommend you do.
You are far ahead of me. If I only knew about clay at 16. I used it for first time last year. I just bought a Porter Cable Polisher and the only part of the process that it makes much easier is the polishing, but if the car is correctly polished once and if you do all that is necessary to keep it clean and not get swirls, you won't need to do it very often. I have 3 cars, so at Hawaii 5-0 (dah dah dah dah daaaaaa dah) I gave my arms a break and got the machine. Your young, use your arms and save the money for gas and girls.
Les
There yo go Smokey, good advice. No more excuses. We want to see a picture of your shiny Crossfire. No more whining. Get busy. You can even skip the clay bar and just wax over the tar and bugs. You'll preserve them for posterity that way. Any thing that you do will beat what you've accomplished so far.
