I have a single sided alloy swingarm on a Honda bike that I am going to polish, the surface is very rough as if its been cast.

Will the first process of polishing be with a compound or by a grit based paper ?

I have seen it done with a grade 240 paper then compounded afterwards, but I am unsure if this is a wise move if there is a compound that will be a lot more kinder to the metal work.

As a very rough guide, what would you recommend as a complete procedure to polishing this type of metal that will invlove the use of hand tools.