Ok Patrick, I'll help start it out.
Years ago when I started in the auto body business, the first thing you learn as an apprentice is how to buff out cars. Today they have a tremendous amount of products to choose from. With all the gov't environmental regulations, the paints and materials used in the U.S. today on our automobiles are inferior opposed to the foreign paint materials used. They don't have the restrictions that we do. Their paints still contain lead & shellac which makes the paint much harder and clearcoat much stronger. I find that certain products work best with the type of paint on the cars today.
I use a product by 3M on my black '99 which is a non filler swirl remover and is not too abrasive. I use it with a professional wheel and woolen bonnet with a leather backing. It completely eliminates swirl marks and is pretty safe for the new paints today. As far as polish, I find Sal Zaino's formula superior to the canuba type waxes. I wouldn't recommend using a high speed polisher if your not familiar with it. You could burn through. Here's a little trick that I learned from the old polishers back in Brooklyn. After I finish with the 3M swirl remover, I fill a stocking with cornstarch and gently pat around the area I worked on leaving a film of the starch. I then put a new woolen pad with a leather backing on the machine and buff over the cornstarch. This brings up a higher luster and removes any streaks. Again, not recommended if you have never used a buffer. Each polisher has there own techniques. I find this method a good one and combined with Zaino products, I get swirl free, show quality shine, without being afraid of different lighting the car may be under. Looks good under any light. Another great product is Future 2001, which is great for a black car. Hope someone finds this helpful.
PS. The unfortunate thing about our American paints is that after you do all that work and you take the car out for a ride, the wind, leaves etc, wind up making new swirl marks. Black is beautiful but it drives me crazy.