I guess you could do both though
I think I now know why your car looks so good Jazzway. I've just topped up the wax (Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax) - never clayed a car. I remain to be convinced about clay - after all we had shiny cars long before clay. Open to persuasion though.
I clay mine, but don't notice a great difference before and after. Even after the first time I did it.
When you don't see any difference, i think you have a very clean car, Jocko.
But here's a photo i took of the piece of clay after i clayed a 40x40 centimeter part of our daughters car bonnet.
This photo was last September, 6 months after i also clayed her car. It is an oily dirt and called traffic-or road film — Oil, other car fluids and dirt accumulate on the roads and together with dirty exhaust gases comes on your car while driving, especially when it rains. When you do not regular wash the car, the dirt builds up and this road film cannot washed off other than with special, very aggressive TFR (traffic film remover) or claying. Also some dirt that never goes away with regular washes; tar spots, some sticky tree saps, can be removed with claying.
Road film is not something you can see easily, on our daughters black car i could see a brownish glow, but when you're not seeing it doesn't mean it isn't there.
And that's why it is important to clay a car once or twice a year BEFORE you wax! A wax, sealant or other coating doesn't bond well on dirt and is gone away in weeks instead of months.
Work back and forth and not in circles, do not push the clay onto the paint, but instead let it glide only with the weight of your (flat) hand. While claying always use plenty clay lube or another car detailing lubricant — I use my rinseless wash shampoo in a stronger mix. When the clay is dirty fold it over to trap the dirt and carry on, using a clean side of clay. Also take your time, work in small parts and don't use a heavy grade clay-bar to get the job done faster. You will then mar (damage) the paint which can only be polished out. — I always use a fine grade clay-bar and depending the dirt i work longer, but always safe. Hi Jazzway, how can you remove the roof trims please?
Push the rear of the trim forward to release the rear clip, lift the rear trim, pull the trim back to release the front clip. This video shows it:
https://youtu.be/2LZN5UHPq04When I wash my car I use two buckets. Then after the car is washed I use the wash bucket for the wheels. Do you use a third bucket just to keep the bucket itself clean? I wash the bucket out after I am done.
I would love to be able to use a D/A polisher on my paintwork. I am sure it would make a huge difference, but I have no power, living in a top storey flat!
One bucket with soapy water, the 2nd with only water (and a grit guard) to rinse the wash mitt (or pad) between washing the car parts, and 3rd bucket is for the wheels. I only use a 3rd bucket for the wheels and wells when they are really dirty, and then do them first before i wash the rest of the car. The same for foaming, btw. When the car is only light to medium dirty i do a rinse with only water or a mild rinseless shampoo mix in a spray bottle before and then wash the car with 2 buckets, or do a rinse-less wash like you.