I have used those thin 300 grit sand sponges from Home Depot (They are about $3 each, and 4x4x1/8" thick in the wood working area). They worked AWESOME on all the stainless and other metal items on the Manta.
The Headlight bezels, The trim around the side marker lights, and the upper cover in the door opening above the lock in particular looked NOS after I was done.
It worked on anything really.
I used the sponge and 3M compund to clean the AL bumpers, side door chrome, etc.. I noticed it worked AWESOME on any AL, Chrome or SS that was dirty and caked on. It only leaved scratches on areas that the chrome was really thing and soft, or where the AL anodization had worn off. Where you are just cleaning the trim with the anodozation on it, it works awesome.
Only time I had a problem with scratches was on the door handles, and rear ashtrays. The work I did left scratches, but they looked better none the less. But they are in real need of being rechromed anyway.