repairing coloured topcoat when clear coat is involved??

This will seem really noob,

but it is, cause i neva worked with clear coat. Whats the process of say repairing a chip or a deep scratch into the colour top coat (just below the clear), or a 6 inch section of a panel when clear coat is involved?

Sand the entire panel back and start fresh? or sand the 'area of interest' and spray the colour and then clear?

Cause i mean, if someone had clear coat on a dub, wanted to repair a deep chip in the roof, thats like smaller than a 5c piece, and its on the roof, does that mean to repair they have to sand the ENTIRE roof, a pillars, b and c pillars??

I just love the gloss of clear over the gloss of polished and waxed acrylic topcoat. But i still want it to be just as 'serviceable' and 'in a days work' repairable.

regards,
Chris.

short answer.....yes, can repair just small area.
acrylic lacquer ? is easier than 2 pack or other finishes.
metallic colours more dificult for the novice.

Thanks for the reply

yea its going to be flat acrylics... no metallics :P

I just wanna have hi gloss with easy repairability...