Hi Scott:

I my old computer fried and I changed ISPs about the same time. When I reconfirmed, that night none of my posts appeared so I plade with the "Hide" Whoops because I couldn't unhide anyone. So I don't know if you got an answer.

You didn't say what your blank is. A poor anneal on a poured blank can cause variations in surface hardness but your complaint sounds like many I have heard in regards to the BVC blanks. If you were running too dry or going too fast with your strokes you could get something akin to this. Especially if you started sticking and adding polishing compound. Polishing is a very wet process and I like to add liquid dish soap to my mix to help maintain an even wetting.

I just use more liquid dish soap and plain water with a clean hand to gently wipe the mirror clean. I use distilled for final rinses where I want no spots or filmy layers.