Quick question. What did you use to polish it?
I normally use mothers mag, but I am not having nearly the same results as the high polish finish you have achieved.
Did you use a dremel?
I am on my third round of hand polishing.
I used 1000 grit paper on a round 6" DA then moved up to 1500. I used to move up to 3000 grit but my bench polisher takes out 1500 scratches easily.
Then I used Tripoli polish on a tightly woven polishing wheel (on a bench mount polisher), then to the jewelers rouge on a loosely woven polishing wheel (attached to the other side of the polisher).
That takes away all the machining marks and creates a mirror shine. It is chrome like.
I use mothers mag for upkeep after the polishing.
It sounds like a lot of work but it is way faster and easier than hand sanding and polishing.