Like you I have always used Meguiar's on paint and always will.
I had been using Mother's Mag & aluminium polish and tried the polish ball.
I recently tried Meguiar's Hot Rims mag & aluminium polish and it is amazing. I apply it with an old white tube sock and buff to a shine with a micro fiber cloth. Not sure how it is long term but it is easy to use and the results are very close to chrome.
I have not treid it on chrome or stainless but I highly reccomend it for aluminium.