Feel free to use the 2 bucket method if ya like however i dont-to be fair hard to put in which order or how extreme you wanna be based on a cars condition-however i`ll have a go-this is for those without a Porter cable as ive got mine to this condition without one.
At this stage isnt important what you wash it with- I used regular wash and wax (cheap stuff)up untill about 6month ago.
so start of by washing the car-up to you wether you use a mitt/microfibre sponge/regular sponge £5 says once leathered off nobody on here could tell which you`d used (though i do have microfibre sponge-above still applies i never noticed any marks/swirls from regular sponge-bought one to try so i use it)then leather car off-i use autoglyms aqua-dry synthetic chamois and will do forever probably.
If its the first time youve attempted doing any polishing on your paintwork and you can feel imperfections in the paint-roof/bonnet/back/bottoms of doors especially(though remember wont lose stonechips
it just pulls the crap out ya paint)its worth claying,if however you polish regular already but want to do a better job and your cars not bad to start with wouldnt bother as to build bk up to the shine youve got already will take alot longer after claying.
Claying doesnt remove swirls in fact if your not careful with the clay can create em be sure to keep cleaning the clay with the quick detailer if its getting heavily soiled from the paint and change the piece of clay round your rubbing against the bodywork by rolling up and flattening bk out etc as once the mucks in the clay can create scratches.
Like i say depends if you want a shortcut or arms killing you to be fair as to what you do at this stage could tell ya to use really fine wet and dry to wet flat the finish bk however if youre not confident dont do it.(sure meguiars will have a guide somewhere)again never done it on mine however done right makes a massive difference.
If your cars faded (bad) use t-cut std or metallic depending on ya paint im probably gonna get slated for that but to me for the money theres nothing better.follow with your usual polish once the t-cut is on rubbing t-cut off is a pain however rubbing polish on top of t-cut offs easy
(based on liquid polishes)
At this stage recommend poorboys professional polish hard work however easier than t-cut (this does remove swirls on mine)Apply with meguiars sponge applicator rub off with cotton stockinette cloth.
follow with poorboys polish with 100% carnauba apply and remove as above.
follow this with poorboys Ex sealant and if youve followed above get these results
for perfectionists follow with collinite 915 wax
