How to keep polished aluminum (Ben Swann)

[the Spaeth's]

I did not see if you actually got an answer to your question. I prefer to
leave the polished aluminum, as then it is easier to shine it up again
later. If you put some kind of clear coat on it, the shine will last longer
but once the clear starts looking bad (and it will eventually) it is much
tougher to make it shine again. You need to strip the old clear and re
polish instead of just polishing.

hope this helps,
Craig