Curious - and I have had a similar discussion before - Claying will remove IFO on the paint and the argument is that your only getting the "head" of the nail so to speak. If that is truly the case then would not a SSR/Polish get the body of the IFO since you will be removing a small amount of clear? I personally know what the crap in the sky can do to a new car (acid rain ate through the clear on my car befor I ever got it)...but if your doing a clay/polish regiment, your getting it all right?
Just as a suggestion on something to add to the whole issue of dropping clay!
If your worried that you may drop you clay... take an old towel/sheet ect and lay it down under the panel your working on you have a better chance of being able to save it!