Your friend is on the right path, but then again so are you. GM had a real problem with clear coat finishes in the late 80s and early 90s. Some people got complete paint jobs as much as 6 years after purchase.
You basically have to remove the clear coat and that requires the use of a sander with a fine grit abrasive (220) to remove the clearcoat. Next wet sand to smooth it out further. If you have gone into the pigment you may have to apply a new top coat before you wetsand and apply new clear coat. wet sand, apply another clear coat, wet sand and then apply another clear coat. That is how you get that "deep" look! You can only get it with multiple layers of clearcoat, but you must go to the extreme of wet sanding between coats, with the finest grade you can.
Finally, to do it right, ensure you are in a dustless environment. (Paint room). Don't hurry, and what ever you do, don't let maaco or earl scheib do it.
