I have 5.0 valve covers that I sanded down with 60 grit then 150 then up to about 300grit. Then I used aluminum polish and they look great, just like proffesionally polished aluminum.
------------------
67 Fastback - Arctic White Pearl paint
351W ,Trick Flow Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock TorkerII, Comp. Cam, Performance Automatic C-4 Trans, 3.55 gears, Front Disc Brakes, 1-1/8" Fr. 3/4" rear sway bars.
My 351W Fastback