Bill, sounds like you got the general idea. Here's some comments from my own style/regimen:
Two bucket method is essentially a bucket of clean soapy water and a bucket of dirty water, well it starts clean and ends up dirty. Dip the mitt into the soapy water and apply to car, then wash the mitt in the 'dirty' water to remove all the dirt from mitt. Wring it out and start again with the soapy water ad infinatum. Grit guards or dirt guards are a worthwhile investment.
For the clay, you will need something other than water as lubrication - I think the meg's package comes with a bottle of quick detailer to use as lube. OTherwise there is a Prima product available - Glide. If you're going to polish by hand, use plenty of lube, you don't want to marr your paint work with dry clay.
I have applied Amigo by hand several times without a problem. Except aching arms.
Depending on the colour of your Mini, you might want to consider Epic, after Amigo, before Banana Gloss. For darker colours, it's a treat.
For the BlackWow, I use a microfiber skinny, although a foam applicator is also good.
Good luck, and have fun with it
