As above Brian, get onto detailing world and do your research bud as its not as easy as it looks.

Knowing how much paint thickness you have to work with is a good start.

A couple of friends of mine run a pro detailing company and they got an Audi A3 in a few weeks ago.

Owner bought all the kit like polisher, pads, compounds etc and decided to have a go at getting all the swirls out of the paintwork.

Little did he know that he had gone down to the primer on some parts, especially edges etc