Thanks, gents.

Crap... polishing off the peaks, leaving the valleys untouched. Makes PERFECT sense!

I wanted to leave a little patina on this one to show its age. I just wanted to get the majority of the stains and light pitting out, so I quickly stepped though a couple of the following lower grits to make sure I left some of the "age". I bet I left some pretty deep valleys behind that without a loop, I wouldnt know they were there... Until hours later when I started buffing the peaks. Arrgh!

I hadnt used soap with the paper. Only dry.

Also, thanks for the tip, Moo! MM sequential, and leave the higher grit sandpapers behind... and then only use the MM wet (I was using it dry).

Thanks for the help, gents! Live and learn...