: Buff it with what? I assume you mean polish and then don't wax.
: I thought i read varnish develops a thin protective surface layer as it dries
: and if you polish that off it will degrade faster.

I don't know anything about the latter.

As for the former, I've always used Maguire's. They have a "Professional" series that is graded by number. The main parts are Heavy, Medium, and Fine Cut Cleaner, Swirl Remover, and Glaze. They also make a range of marine products as well. If you wanted to polish you'd probably start with Fine Cut followed by Swirl Remover, and Glaze if you really wanted to. In my experience it's overkill for everything but show cars under flourescent lights. After this last step you can decide whether to add or skip the wax. Go to their web site and look it over to pick up tips. They have a HUGE variety of products, and used to give a "prescription" for what products to use if you told them what you were trying to do. (Don't scrimp on good cloths for removing the products! Some of them can leave as many scratches as you've just polished off!)

3M makes a product in their Perfect-It line that is intended to be used with a machine. It's nice because it starts at about a medium and brakes down as you use it, until it's super fine. It saves time because you don't have to switch pads. The shop where I worked switched from Maquire's to 3M because it was less fussy. The only time it saves is probably in the whole pad switching part, you still have to polish as much.

Maguire's is available at a lot of, but not all, auto parts stores. 3M is usually only sold through painter's supply places.

If you want info on polishing varnish, you should check the Fine Woodworking web site. It's a subscription site, but they'll give you two weeks free if you register. You can also check with the manufacturer of the varnish you used. They'll be the final word on what the best option will be. Some manufacturers recommend only the wax that they make because other waxes can cause the varnish to discolor.

When it comes to removing wax, if you choose to, 3M, DuPont, and PPG all make wax removers that will allow you to strip the wax without sanding or damaging in any way the underlying finish.

If you get through all of these steps and still aren't sure, the guys at auto paint stores are usually pretty knowledgeable and will be able to help you out.

It can never be too shiny!

m