Well google helped me out on this one! I'm going to try a towel soaked in vinegar. Hopefully this will give me a bit of variation and should protect the steel. Without a buffer or the patience for hand sanding, I was never going to get it to shine anyway, so I'll let it keep its character, embrace its antiquity, and protect it as best as I can. However, first I need to reverse my mediocre attempts at making it new again!

I'll post before and afters, dont worry!