A few tips, from my experience.......
1) Use a DRY polishing pad to apply SSR's. Don't mist the panel or pad with SSR's. No need to break out a cutting pad unless you're working a neglected surface.
2) Work SSR's at 5.5 on the PC and go sloowwww. You may need to take a few passes. -Take your time. For example, you should polish your hood in 4 sections.
3) Work the polish until there is almost none visiable, at the same time make sure you have lube (i.e. some polish) between your pad and finish. If you dry out the pad, you may cause some marring.
4) Get a spray bottle and mix it 50/50 with isopropyl alchohol and water. You can buy the alcohol at most any grocery or drug store. -Just don't drink it. When your done polishing, spray the panel with this mix and wipe clean. DON'T apply this to your polishing pad! Use this mix with any polish. If there is filler, it'll pull it from your swirl. I haven't noticed any fillers in PB polishes.
5) Back your car out in the sunlight and inspect from several angles. If you don't see slight checks/swirls/marring, then move onto the EX step. If you do see this, and it's very minor, move to SSR1 and apply the same as SSR2.5. If you missed a few spots that are a bit heavier, SSR2.5 them again.
6) Apply EX with a moist applicator. The thinner the better. Let it sit for 15 min. or so and wipe off with a clean MF towel. Repeat if you want more depth.
A few no no's....
1) Don't polish on the pad edge -keep it flat on the surface of your panel.
2) Keep the polisher moving, but at a slow pace. You'll notice a difference in the pattern the polish makes based on your pace. Hard to explain this, but you'll notice it over time. Just don't focus on one spot for a long time.
Going on memory..... I think the propel polishing pad is the blue pad. Call the place you purchased it from if your not sure.
Good luck!