How long before polishing/buffing nitro?

Thanks Peegoo. I wasn't sure if there were variables, like "depends what kind of nitrocellulose was used", etc.

Yeah, 3 days rest or so is fairly standard for production. The longer you wait the less gooey, the less haze when you try to buff, and the less orange peel as it continues to shrink afterward. It'll gum up sand paper less if you wait longer. I've done touch ups where I only waited 24 hours.  You definitely know that you're dealing with fresh, soft lacquer every step of the way, but it is doable.

Like sirWheat if I was doing my own thing on my own timeline, I'd let it sit nice and long... but nothing catastrophic happens if you don't. It is more a quality of life thing. It could also be that I'm spoiled by having a stationary buffing arbor. I might be singing a different song if I was doing the buffing in a different way.

I think I used 600 and 800. You can use coarser grits if you have too much build-up or orange peel just know that you're gonna burn through quicker.

I'm just looking to get a little luster into it, less swirls, etc. I have contemplated doing a 2500 grit wetsand followed by a hand rub polish, but maybe I'll just polish. I'd hate myself if I ran through on the edges.

The more I look at the finish the less Sherwood Green I see and more of a dark candy apple green. Seems to be lacking a little blue for Sherwood. I think this and Fiesta red are one of the harder colors to nail.

As you work out to any edge be sure your motion is from the center toward the edge … never from the edge inward

This is especially true when using power tools to buff. Be sure the directional rotation of the pad is taking this instruction into account.

Edited to add:  I would try to avoid using power buffing on the radiused edges.  I would do those by hand.

I have never used power tools for buffing out my limited projects, not that I'm opposed to it. I may just try this one by hand. Again, not looking for brand new luster, but would like to reduce the swirls and scratches.

This is a USACG body which Mark and Matt Jenny took over after they folded. 3lbs, 14 oz alder. Hoping all lines up well. My previous experience has been with Wildwood Mfg bodies which Mark sourced and all have been excellent. On my previous custom paint build MJT provided pics along the way, and at one point I noted there was something off about the color. They adjusted and it came out damn near perfect. No pics this time around and in retrospect I wish there were so I could steer them toward the exact shade I was looking for. Not necessarily disappointed, I dig one off's and unique builds.