The drill with attachments will work but to really bring the shine out of a polished aluminum wheel a good high speed cut and Polish is needed. While it may seem intimidating looking at different buffing wheels and rouges its easy to learn not so easy is mastery. I was a professional polisher for 4 years. Went by the name Blue Avenger. Ill post a link to my MySpace page with some of my work. I know MySpace sucks but it was a good advertising tool. http://www.myspace.com/blue_avengers_polishing however don't be intimidated take your time and keep the pad rouged up. Aluminum can shine better than chrome if polished properly. And upkeep isn't that bad either. Polish by hand with a simple metal Polish when they start to dull. I always recommended hand Polish once a month and machine Polish every 6 months. I had trucks that would only come once a year and still shined great. Just depends on care after that. Be careful how you wash them. Heavy degreasers and acid with turn them milky white. Best thing I've found is cheap ole suave shampoo.

 

I actually have the same question as the op. did the exact same project and happened to come across this thread in hopes for an answer. I dont see it here so I'll ask again after stripping clearcoat off of polished aluminum wheels and polishing them with mothers aluminum polish what do you use to seal/weatherproof them I dont want to reclear them they shine much better now they look like chrome should I use a wax perhaps?
heres my thread
https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...hed-video.html

 

op just out of curiosity I looked up to see who did the project first and noticed that we posted our threads on the same day less than an hour apart weird coincidence.

 

Other than having them clearcoated or powder coated with clear there really isn't much you can do. You could try a spray wax. I had a few customers swear by it. No brand in particular just that it helped. However they had them polished by hand once a month. Polished aluminum does require a bit more on upkeep. My professional opinion is be extremely careful what you wash them with to prevent hazing and give them a good hand Polish whenever you feel the shine is starting to dull just to add a little pop back to them. I don't know that waxing them will do much for long term as you just can prevent air and moisture from getting on them. Which is what causes the oxidation and dull shine.