Duck reading through your post I am shaking my head in a yeah I do that too manner. It takes a LOT of different discs, hand held, and different machine types to get to all of the profiles, stages of smoothing, and other assorted challenges in getting a smooth surface. And at each one there are so many different offerings, and types it's just a matter of finding what gets it done for you.
Nathan I agree with that rubber backed stuff. Not sure where I got it, but I had some finer grits that I use to hand touch up, and seems like it's been around a LONG time. Bummer if they discontinued it.