Retaining a shine after the cleaning process is not easily achieved.
This is what I do, and it works just OK. Others may have better methods to share. This is for 6000 series aluminum:
A thoroughly polished part has had all of the surface contaminants removed, so I skip the etch and de-smut, but the part needs to be cleaned. I often use WD-40 to remove excess polishing materials that are packed into the cracks, then follow that up with mild soap and hot water.
Now is when I connect the hanging wires. After the wires are attached, I don't touch the part with bare hands.
Just before anodizing, I submerge the parts in 180F SP cleaner/de-greaser for just a few minutes, then thoroughly rinsing the parts with distilled water. A little bit of the shine goes away, but for dyed finishes, it's undectable.
Hope that helps.
