Cleaning an aluminum carb

I haven’t done it yet but I have some aircraft aluminum polish that I am wanting to try. I figure that I would try hand application of the polish on a cloth followed by a polishing wheel (not rubber backed) on a drill or bench motor to get into the nooks and crannies.
As you hinted at, you know that any etching will remove discolored aluminum versus polishing away the very top surface of the blemish. Some enchants will turn the aluminum surface black (smut) that will be removed by polishing.
I have experience with aircraft aluminum processing through chemical baths that I have wanted to try and duplicate at home.
Good luck.