From what I've experienced until now, claying is essential. If you're going to do an AIO just after, there's no need to be afraid of even slight clay marring that may come out easily on polishing step.
I'd use a nanoskin mitt or towel for the claying process if you're looking to gain some time at the end. Take advantage of vehicle being wet after washing, use soap as lube and clay it.
Then you dry and you'll have a clean and clayed surface (that'll look much better at the end) to polish over.
After the AIO, I like to use PBL Coating Booster (kind of spray wax), but it gives much better results than spray wax or sealants, since it's a 'spray-on coating'.
It costs ~$39, but if you get a coupon or promotion you can have this beauty for much less. A little goes a long way.
I've never used D151 but many say it's very good, so I trust the Autogeeks comments here.
I've used XMT360 and although it's not 'Perfect', it's very good.
Nowadays, my favorite AIO is Menzerna Power Protect Ultra (PP Ultra), unfortunately it cannot be find at AG (yet, because I've made campaign for they to start selling it), it's just a matter of time.
A so good (and quality) product by Menzerna (which is a brand they sell) cannot be kept off the AG top quality product list.
I top it with PBL Booster I've told above.
If you take a look at my recent Coatings testing experiment, you may see coating booster hanging there just like the more expensive coatings.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...g-pbl-coating-macro-microscopically-more.html
Also, you'll have a 'greater appeal' to customers since you'll be using a recent coating technology. At least here in Brazil this appeal is very strong.
To date, my AIO procedure is ~as follows:
- Thorough Rinse, Thorough Wash
- Nanoskin Clay
- Menzerna AIO (generally White Polishing Pad*)
- Coating Booster (takes ~5 minutes to apply to the whole finish).
(*may use orange pad for harder finishes, or even finishing pad for softer) - just do a test spot.
In some cases, I may do 2 times a section if not achieving results, or even some passes with light cutting pad then some passes with finishing pad. I know this is 2 steps that may 'kill the purpose' of AIO.
Generally, when needing 2 steps, I'd do a polishing step with a more powerful polish and then follow with the AIO to finish it out on a finishing pad.
The above shows 2 steps, but that would be at least 3 steps for dedicated LSP at the end.
The coating booster step I don't consider as a 'step', since (like I've said), it'll take 5 minutes to apply, enrich quality of your job and get customers by the appeal of a coating product.
I call the AIO proposed above finished with coating booster as "Coating Light Package".
The upgrade of this package may be a 'true' polishing step, and the Full Coating Package is where I'd include the 'true' coating application. It costs at least twice the Coating Light Package.
It's the fastest I can go while offering top notch quality.
Please, do not consider my comment literally, or the right (or wrong) way to do things. I'm just sharing some ideas for you to add to your knowledge, helping you to make better decisions on your search.
Another 'spray on' sealant that impressed me a lot was Wolfgang DG Spritz Sealant.
But, IMO, the coating booster is better.
Kind Regards.
