First off going to link you to a couple of Mike's write ups
https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...ations-beginner-mike-phillips.html?highlight=
How many pads do I need to buff out my car?
In terms of pads, the lake country flat pads are always a nice option. Recently redesigned to be thinner. Thinner pads work very well on porter cable type tools.
I would recommend a 5" backing plate for the porter cable.
In terms of polishes well you are going to get many recommendations. It is hard to say if you will need a compound and a polish or just a polish without doing a test spot. Meguiar's ultimate compound and ultimate polish are always recommended as they work, yet readily available at most local auto parts stores. Can't forget about M205 as that always works well.
Sonax has a great line of polishes. These are user friendly and get the job done. What I like about Sonax is the they have virtually no dusting. Sonax Cut Max compound has good cut with little to no dusting. EX 04-06 is a nice polish as well. I get zero dusting from it and a great finish. It does a good job on it's own in terms of correction ability. Cut & Finish is a one step compounding polish that is in between the two so if you don't have the time then this one step polish is a solution. Very versatile and it's correction ability is pad dependent. Some like Perfect Finish and don't get me wrong it is a nice polish. It does dust a bit more than the others when using it with a DA. That is the only nit pick I have on Perfect Finish. The good thing about Sonax is that they offer their polishes in 8 oz bottles which is a good size for someone who does this every so often. I have been using the Sonax line of abrasives as of late and they have become some of my favorites.
McKee's 37 fast polish is nice. I have not yet worked with the compound but the polish works well. User friendly and works well.
Optimum Hyper Polish is another real nice polish to work with. Very versatile as well as user friendly.
You always have the option of a one step/cleaner wax type product as well.