True Buffing can be dangerous. I worked in a metal refinishing/motorcycle paint and repair shop. We had a guy come in who was a friend of the shop owner who wanted to polish his own primary cover for his bike and the wheel snagged it and sent it completely through the wall of the shop and out on the ground. He is lucky it was not his arm.
I too made my garage buffer from a well pump motor. It works good enough but can bog down on big aluminum pieces. Keep an old junk screw driver handy to clean the rag wheels and always wear eye protection,wear an apron unless you don't care about your cloths turning black and a mask if you don't want your lungs black also.
Diatomaceous earth can be found in some farm/feed supply stores. I use it in my chicken coops to prevent lice and fleas. It is not that expensive.
