M205 and M105 are your standards. I use CG V series( you can get 4 4 oz sample bottles from CG for $20) and the P40 which I love on softer paints. All of these polishes are water based so easier to clean pads and better yet ZERO dusting and long working times before they flash out. I like Menzerna but it dusts giving me an extra step to clean up. After CG polish quick IPA wipe down and the paint is ready to go. The V series are rated for scratch resistant and ceramic clear coats as well as conventional clear coats.
I use a PC and a Flex. 5.5" Hex Logic foam pads and Black optics MF pads. Just starting out get a PC you would need 3 orange pads and 2 white pads to get you started. You should be able to do one car with 5 pads maybe having to wash one maybe two pads. Just remember that the PC is not a fast cutting machine. It's safe and effective. It's damn near impossible for you to mess up paint unless you hit the car with it or let your pads cake up with polish and end up dry buffing the paint. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone here who messed up a car with a PC or a flex.
