| I always flat to 800 (maybe 1000 occasionally) before clear coating. Any finer and I find that there is poor adhesion of the clear. After I've cleared I gently flat back again using 1200 then 1500 to remove any "orange peel" effect and then work progressively up through the grades of cutting fluids getting finer all the time.
Hope that helps, Neil
P.S. It's preferable if you don't apply any polish to the newly painted surface for at least 4 weeks. Aerosols take ages to fully cure.
P.P.S. Halfords stuff is especially poor, go to a vehicle paint supplier and buy an aerosol of good quality clear coat. | 
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