Polishing techniques

[azr]

Just don't go as high with the wet sanding, likely stop at 1000 grit. I think some people are getting good polished aluminum by just using a pad. Ask Nessism, he's got it down pretty good.....oh, he beat me to it.

[Nessism]

I recently finished some heavily corroded Kawasaki engine covers and first thing I'll say is hand sanding is for the birds. Glass bead blast, 220 grit on a DA, heavy sisal wheel on powerful buffer along with black cutting compound. F hand sanding. F buffing wheels. Get the heavy duty $hit and have at it. You are going to need some heavy gloves because the aluminum gets HOT when you are hammering away with the sisal!

[sinkankan]

I recently made a tail piece for the BSA out of a prop spinner off an aircraft, after giving any obvious scratches a hit with the triangular orbital sander I buffed it up with a nylon Scotch Brite type wheel. Then it with medium polishing paste (brown) and finishing if off on another cloth wheel with autosol. The final finish is with the Metal Reflection finishing fluid, great for protecting the finish as well.
have a bowl of water handy to rinse off excess wax and keep the item cool, polishing waxes tend to hate hot surfaces.