A good claying guide here:
http://www.bettercarcare.com/cleanin...ling-clay.html

If using SSR 2 by hand then ideally use a microfibre applicator as these will give a bit more bite than foam on the paint when being worked...... If you go down the machine route, then theres only really one decent option, the Porter Cable from the States, which will also need a transformer, and will, in total set you back between £150 - 200. You may be able to pick up a nearly new one in the sales section of Detailing World though. There are alot of other machines but, the PC is like the industry standard and theres a wealth of info and knowledge on them on various detailing sites which is a great help.
If you did buy one, don't get it in the UK. They aren't CE marked, so it is technically illegal for people with companies like myself to be selling them.... They are often a fair bit more expensive as well.

Hope that gets you started .

Cheers.
Alex.