My try at the other one.
Regarding pointers, if you let us know your level of experience - perhaps post some work you‘ve done and tell of your concerns - restorers on here might be able to offer some advice.
My basic suggestions: learn each and every tool in your program, and practice, practice, practice. You’re probably aware that a similar result can be achieved using completely different tools. Only experience can tell you which tool is best for the job in front of you. There are lots of free tutorials online, and the archive of restores on Rootschat is a wonderful resource for practicing your skills. If you learn from what other restorers on here have done, without consciously competing with their efforts, you’ll gradually develop your own style. (I don’t think I’ve got to that stage yet!)
Cheers, Peter.