Just read through this thread... glad to hear everything turned out well...
Sometimes you just need to do a little tweaking to find just the right combination of pads, products and even technique to get the results you're looking for.
On a side note... the #9 is a fine cut polish, it does contain diminishing abrasives.
A long time ago "#9" was a spray wax, late 1970's and probably into the 1980's. This product was dropped and then the #9 was used for the current product, #9 Hi Tech Swirl Remover. It was relaunched with #2 Fine Cut Cleaner as the new twins for clear coats when clear coats went mainstream, I know I was calling on body shops showing the "new" system.