out of high school... I worked at a plating shop and polished on big production polishing wheels all day.
a very dangerous job! folks walking around less a finger.
polishing is simply progressively grinding to a finer finish. this is done by using different grades of abrasives.... then progressing to different grades of polishing compounds.
you'd never want to use a courser abrasive than the finish that currently on finish you are working on.
for finishes that's already mirror to start with... but hazy... use plain ole chrome polish. forget about the drill motor... use good ole fashion muscle..