Is it worth buying a bog standard detailing kit at £250 and doing myself, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and likelearning new skills but would my attempt be futile?
Thats what I did, i enjoy doing it.
I would say that my results are 85% of that of a pro detailer, I dont quite get it all out but I am still learning.
You should give colour sanding ago, I know the thought of taking sandpaper to your paintwork might scare the bejesus out of some but if the panel does require repaint, give it a go, whats the worst can happen?
Soak 3000 grip wet and dry in a bucked of clean water for an hour, build up the touch up paint over a couple of weeks till its proud, then flatten with lots of water, then polish back up with a MOP. I put body shop tape tight to the bigger chips whilst I knock most of the overpaint off then remove at the end...just gives you more chance of not sanding through the clearcoat.
Also, I did my dealer trick I was told a few years back that works amazing on black cars....get a permanent marker, scribble all over the stone chips then use Tcut or similar petroleum based cutting compound and polish it up. Did one wing with Chipex and the other with the marker pen and it was quicker and better with virtually all the little white dots gone.