[madmaxx]

I polished my share of engines. Intake manifold, valve covers, water pump, brackets... Bottom line is you can get "ok" results but only a professionally will get it right. They have much larger equipment, 5hp buffing machines with belt drives, right compounds etc. You/novice/me can never get their results nor do you want too, its nasty work. Depending where you are starting sometimes it cheaper to buy new polished sometimes not. I had severely corroded/pitted pre polished intake manifold, water pump, brackets, valve covers, water pumping backing plate (chromed) 4 spinners (chromed) misc intake fittings (chromed) for $1200. First guy bid $2400. I had a high rise manifold and after they polished the cavity under the "high rise" was filthy/nasty. I taped off all the polished surfaces with masking tape and then took to work and used a little blasting booth to clean the lower area. Turned out perfect. Bottom line polished surfaces are a PIA to keep polished, any moisture causes pitting etc on aluminum. Great to sell a car but nightmare to own.