Buffing my car.

I got an electric buffer today with two "towel-like" pads and one synthetic sheep hair pad, along with rubbing and polishing compound. I have some questions though seeing as this is my first time doing this.

This is how I was doing it step by step:

Wash the towel pad and rinse out dry and put on the buffer.

Place dabs of rubbing compound on the hood and buff it in straight lines being sure not to stay in one place, and stay away from corners to not burn the paint...even though I did doh!

I am not too sure when to stop, but usually when it gets dry I will stop, with still some compound left visable on the car.

I attach a dry towel pad and clean it off.

Repeat as before except with polishing compound and then attach the synthetic sheep hair pad and finish up with that.


Is that ok? I have some questions though...how much pressure should I be putting on the pad?

Should I be rinsing the towel pads after each buff/dry because they seem to get really dirty?

How do I avoid swirls?

And last but not least someone said to NOT use the synthetic hair because it will scratch the paint or something but I have not noticed anything.

Thanks for any help!