Make your first pass with say emery, then come back over it at a 45degree angle with the same compound. This cuts the metal down faster. You Just keep alternating the cuts until you get it how you like it. Do the same for each compound. Caswell's metal polishing guide has a more detailed description of the cut and color motions.
You can view the guide here:
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/...61c359fc2ec72b