If you want to start in true grasshopper fashion, then learn the ins and outs by hand. For that, I would buy any clay, any clay lubricant, 3m hand glaze, then any carnuba wax. The 3m hand glaze is a glaze, which means it does not correct imperfections; it fills them. Damn, it looks good for a few months, though! Once you get the hang of all of that, you know, waxing on and waxing off, then you might dip into the pocket for a random orbital machine, meguires m105 and m205, then top it with whatever sealant or wax you want.
And read a lot:
http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/