I'm just curious...since DACP is a bit more mild abrasive, wouldn't that take out the oxidization and stuff from the paint. Would you really need to go do the clay then DACP...
Yeah, it's kind of a bad idea to polish without claying first. They're two separate processes and can't replace each other. You don't want to be polishing with DACP and start knocking off some of that grit and have it rubbing into the paint.....
I think geekysteve said it best... If you had a sliver in your finger and you knew you had to rub alcohol on it, would you pull the sliver out first or after you rubbed it? I think it was geeky who said that anyway. Its a good point though. There isn't a polish that can take the place of clay. You still have to clay because there are thigs that polish just can't take out.
If you polish first, then stuff (that’s the technical term) that’s embedded in the paint will be leveled off leaving no way to get the remainder out later with clay - or anything else. If that remaining stuff is metallic, then you’re running the risk of rust spots appearing some time in the future.
Washing with Dawn and then clay is the best way to start by far. Then step back and determine what the condition of your paint is then proceed to your next steps.