Ok, now that, that is out of the way, how about using soft or medium grade sponge/pad ?
The car in question was clayed a year back, and its surface is pretty bad now.
I will be claying it, and then following up with compounding, polishing and waxing InshaAllah.
Also, need to consider the future usage, whether a medium clay will be required everytime, or in future, I would need soft sponge?