Question regarding hand-sanding and polishing. I have used a progression of 220-2000 grit sandpaper on a re-storation project and I can't get the blade shiney. The 2000 grit sandpaper leaves scratches on the surface that I can't get off. I am sure they are not scratches from a lower grit, I even tried using the 2000 grit sandpaper on a shiney Zeepk to make sure. The sandpaper did the same thing to the Zeepk, left it cloudy with some scratches. I've tried sanding wet, tried sanding softly, and used MAAS afterwards. Another poster said that the 2000 grit sandpaper should leave your blade mirror shiney- not even close. Any advice?

(FYI: Harbor Freight has a pack of red and white rouge for $3).