All i can say from experience is, small things are ok... but i did my 1.2 side strips twice and even though i took a lot of time and effort they where only presentable, if the sun shon, you could see the waves in the uneven laquer, even after wet sanding and polishing.
That was black paint, silver will be harder to perfect imo... have a practice, door handles are easy because they're small, have a go at the side strips, just made sure you sand and primer them, and read up on guides, you might get on fine, but for large body parts like side strips thinking back id defiantly pay for a professional paint job.
Edit also £60 for the side strips is reasonable... price up sandpaper various grits, 3x primers from halfords, 3 colours at least and 2 large cans of laquer and you will have spent 40+
Not trying to put you off i had exactly the mind frame you've got, it is definatly good fun to have a try yourself, but if you want the wet look OEM paint has think about getting the side strips done profesh.