Peckinpah:
Don't worry about burning through a few edges, everyone does it a few times when they are learning. Edges require a delicate touch.

andyoucankeepit:
Regarding clear, I remember someone posting this link: http://www.paintforcars.com/clearcoats_aecc2.html and thinking it looked like a good option, so I bookmarked it.

Also, you are smart to not apply paint over unsanded previous coats. If you really don't want to wetsand, at least go over it with a red ScotchBrite pad to knock the shine off.