Highly polished aluminum can be so shiny and reflective as to be mirror-like. Fortunately, getting your aluminum car rims or your aluminum appliances to shine with a mirror-like finish is not terribly difficult as long as you are willing to put a little time and elbow grease into making it happen.
Wash the item with dish soap and warm water and pat dry with a 100% cotton towel.
2
Sand the item with 400-grit sandpaper. Sand in a circular motion. Sand until you can no longer feel any scratches or pitting when you run your fingernail across the object.
3
Wash with warm water and pat dry with cotton towel.
4
Sand lightly with 800-grit sandpaper. Sand in only one direction (not in circular motions). Remove any larger blemishes that still remain. Wipe clean with a cotton towel.
5
Sand very lightly with 1,200-grit paper. Sand in only one direction. Sand in order to erase any microscopic scratches left by the previous sanding. Your item should be looking very shiny by this time.
6
Wipe briskly but lightly in only one direction with 0000-grade steel wool. Bring out as much of a shine as you can. Wipe clean with cotton towel.
7
Apply a thin coat of aluminum polish. Wipe gently in one direction with a clean cotton towel. Wash off with warm soapy water. Rinse. Pat dry with clean cotton towel.
8
Your item should now be mirror-like. Spray a coat of clear lacquer onto your item. Wait until completely dry and then gently wipe with 00000-grade steel wool. Wipe clean with cotton towel and spray a second coat of clear lacquer. Allow to dry.
Tips & Warnings
Try to keep fingerprints off of your item from Step 6 onward.
When spraying lacquer you may wish to wear eye protection and a breathing mask.
Use a light sanding touch once you have completed your sanding with the 400-grit paper.
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