Paul,
I would be willing to bet, that no two builders on this sight, do everything ion the process, the exact same way. A lot is trial and error, I make plenty of errors, but hopefully learn something from them. I just hope, I am not repeating the same mistake over and over, I'm part Swede, so that is a possibility
... But.. yer right, I've been there too, a lot of it is "fear factor" so ya gott chit or get off the pot... I would be willing to bet again, that you will do some amazing finishes, I can sense that from what I've seen of your aluminum work.
Dive on in, and you will do some great stuff, I am sure!