You can never have too much horsepower for polishing, though my current 1 1/2 HP 3phase running on a VFD (variable speed) seems to do the job.
polishing is a horsepower hog, IMHO if you are buying, no less than 3/4 HP (specially if it's tiny chinese horseies)
Many ways to skin this wheel cat.
in random order;
Some wheels ARE beyond saving, if the tire needs replacing anyways, take it off before you start so you can gauge the amount of corrosion inside before wasting a lot of time...... I've prolly chucked out 10-15 rims that I've deemed past safe/good looking use.
spin it up and check for run out. once bent, rims are scrap. don't confuse a bump at the weld with bent.
to spiff up a rim, it's a LOT easier if you can spin it for your clean up polish work.
Then if new spokes are going in take the wheel apart, pretty up the hub.
If you are replacing spokes; consider how skinny stock rims are, a beat up, corroded, gouged, rim can be inexpensively replaced a with a brand new slightly wider rim. This may be one of the best resto-mod changes on the XS650.
Stainless steel spokes, nough sed.
Note that above I suggested running the abrasive disks on a VSR drill NOT an angle grinder.
an adapter mandrel will be needed. they can be bought or made from a carriage bolt, washers, etc.
Getting disks with plastic backing strongly recommended for wheel work, to avoid adding scrapes, gouges etc.
IMHO angle grinder speeds are just too high for smoothing polishing work. specially in tight quarters like a wheel or anything still in place on the bike.
Face shield, wrap around safety glasses, breathing mask. SOP
Only you can gauge what is "shiny enough".
I build bikes to ride, not revolving stand, show pieces.
existing nicks, tire iron gouges, riffling files, remove any metal that is sticking up, round the edges,
toglhot; do you ever search the forum for existing threads? LOL
Since we all need to show off now and then.
I've gone further but what's on the lift now.
I guess my polishing "level" is a bit better than what might have come out of the factory if the old guy on the buffer wasn't being pushed to get more parts done each shift. LOL
