My suggestion is removing extra products with a mf cloth once your primed the pad. I don't know what pad you are using but kompressor pad often splashes to me.
Determine how much swirls were left after the first trial then judge which pad to go. If it still left whole lots swirls, then definitely jump to more aggressive pad instead of the medium one....
I use Flex more often than rupes. Its just my style. I won't say one is better than the other. Both polishers have their own intention. I never done comparison in time trial or finishing quality. But...
Iron x may be your best bet on non coated wheel. I've just wash a crazy baked clearcoated wheel that took me 4times 1:3 wheelbrigther to clean it. People don't wash car these days lol
Read this
Car Wash Guide, Car Wash how to - easy steps to shampoo and dry your vehicle using paint-safe mitts and towels, plus sponges, the Grit Guard and
Towel method doesnt work on true DA polisher. Don't waste money on M105 for now. You'll only get more frustrating with M105 as a beginner. From my point of view, I think you used too much product...