I just now realized that I mispelled the word "polished" in the thread title. Consider me embarassed.
Thanks again for the comments. I was talking to a buddy of mine who just painted some wheels for me, and he suggested that I get some sort of anodized coating for it as well. I dunno know, I think I prefer the look of just plain old polished aluminum. Also, Dayle, I do like how yours turned out, but I'm glad I took out the ridges on mine. It's just..."different."