You guys are insane.
Don't use anything less than 1000 grit, and that's pushing it.
Let the paper do the sanding, don't force it.
Stay away from edges unless you're an experienced buffer.
If you decide to want to buff out the edges, make sure you use slow speed and work it so the pad is ridding off the edge, not onto the edge.
I'd advise 1200 grit, 1500 grit and possibly 2000 grit.
It all depends on the grit compound you are going to be using.
Remember, I'm a professional.
Get a water bottle.
Put a drop or two of dish washing liquid in the bottle, then fill with water.
Pop a hole on the cap using a phillip head screw driver.
Use it as a squirt/drip bottle as you sand.
A water hose can get real messy!
Grab either 1000 grit or 1200 grit on a wet sanding block and block it down to get rid of any orange peel or imperfections.
Be careful you don't burn through.
This step is what gives it the shine.
The flatter it is, the more shine it'll have.
Once done, get the next grit which ever case being.
Do the same, but you're not worried on knocking out anything, rather than just polishing away the sanding scratches left by the previous grit.
Continue till you're happy.
Bright colors are good to go with 1500, some 1200 depending on the compound used.
But if I'm doing black, it DEFINITELY needs to be at 2000 if wanted flawless.
Buff at a slow pace with no real pressure on the buffer.
Let the machine dig the compound into the surface.
I use a wool pad, but one can use a foam pad(if using the foam pad, make sure it's the yellow compound pad).
Remember, let the machine do the work.
People get swirl marks from trying to buff fast and hard.
Once it's completely compounded, it should look good, but lack depth.
Grab a 3m black foam glaze pad along with a bottle of 3m foam pad glaze and polish it out.
Once done, it'll look like glass.
A perfect mirror finish.
I don't know how more descriptive one can get when it comes to this unless I was to tell you exact RPM to spin the machine.
Which I don't know, I just do what feels right.
I know my buffer is usually set between 4 and 6 while compounding, and 3 while glazing.
Hope this helps.
-Eric