Re: ATM Thumbnail mirror

["Adam Smith" <ajusmith@vaultmaster.com>]

I don't know if the finish has to be to normal optical tolerances or not. If
not, I would try polishing compound designed for metal ("bobbing" compound,
tripoli, then chrome oxide rouge, all in stick form) on cloth or leather
lap. I used to make knives for a living, polished an awful lot of hardened
stainless. I don't think I'd like to try it on a pitch lap with optical
polishing agent. May just be prejudice, though, I'll be curious to hear how
you make out. It is possible to get a good polish on aluminum, but the
pressure has to be just right, just a little too much and you get smeared
scratches that just deepen as you go. And I only ever polished hardened
aluminum (6061-T6,7075-T6) which is harder than brass.

A machine buff would help a lot, as well. Job wouldn't take more that 10-15
minutes with a machine buff and the right compounds. You would definitely
roll the edge if polished on a machine, though.

Adam Smith