Well I think it looks good, I bought the fiesta because I read your thread, and it is a great kit so far. I will say that with the fiesta(don't know about the mini) but the body has a texture to it, it is not smooth. So you have to sand it down, and not ruin the details, so I can see how yours could have some texture to the paint. As for the polishing, I polish after decals and clear, which I know some polish before decals, and I use the micro mesh polishing kit.