When deciding which way to start, doing a test spot is the first thing that comes in mind.
That's what I call 'asking the paint'. When you use a polishing pad (mainly white from LC) and a finishing polish, you will get valuable answer in return.
If you remove defects using this setup, you will know defects were not severe as they look, or the paint is soft and will be easy to correct.
If you don't remove defects, you'll find out that you need to step up.
To step up, again, analyze the answer paint gave to you. If you barely removed defects, maybe you should step up product or even pad.
If your polishing (white + finishing pad) haven't even touched defects, it's time for orange pad and medium cut polish / compound.
If you almost removed defects, maybe stepping up product (maybe a cutting polish or compound) on same pad (polishing pad) may solve things out.
That's the way to decide.
Gold Pad is my favorite for carnauba wax, and I use red mainly for sealants. Nothing special here, just personal preference.
Carnaubas I use are generally non cleaning waxes, I like to use the most soft pad available (the gold) to ensure I'm spreading a thin layer just over my sealant or coating without any pick on it.
You may also search for 5" backing plate and pads for that machine, ...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...uiar-s-griot-s-porter-cable-da-polishers.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...le-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html
Hope that helps,
Kind Regards.