I agree... I'm just an over thinker lol I'm saying I start with the least aggressive but the paint is totally thrashed if that makes any sense I just like to plan for the worst case scenario
Planning for the worst case scenario is simply having the more aggressive cutter on hand in case your swirl remover doesn't cut it well enough.
What year, make, model and color is the vehicle in question? When soliciting general advice on a specific job, the more info you can add to the thread will increase the chances of getting better info back from the forum members.
Either way actual testing is going to be what dictates your plan of attack, but experience would tell me that a thrashed out Chrysler 300
in most cases is going to need a much more aggressive approach than a thrashed Mazda Miata etc.
I had to come back and edit.. adding the bold print to "
in most cases" because Chrysler paint is typically on the hard side, but who's to say this particular 300 hasn't been repainted at one time with a much softer clear coat used? Actual testing on the car will tell the story of what needs to be done, every time.
Of course the Chrysler 300 is just a hypothetical model I came up with to make a point.