Winning_BlueRX8

Could someone please explain to me how buffing out scratches works...I mean I realize what buffing is. But if you buff a scratch out, doesn't it remove the clearcoat finish? I have a scratch about 1.5 inches, not very deep on my driver side door that I am considering having buffed out. Or should I try buffing it myself? I've never done it before. Wish I had a digital camera so I could show you guys the scratch. It isn't deep at all, you can barely feel it when running your finger across it.