Buffing/polishing stainless steel, scratches still wont come out

For the firs time this past weekend I tried buffing/polishing two complele sets of stainless steel window mouldings and a pair of tail light mouldings for my 66ss. I purchased a "tripoli" compound and a jewelers rouge. I also bought the same companies recommended buffs, a #40 and a more "fluffy" one for the polishing (cant remember the #). Everything was bought at the Home Depot. Although the parts look OK, some peices are still plain dull and the scratches are still there (even the small ones). Is it really possible to buff these to a like new finish like whats been said here and in the books and catalogs? If so can someone tell me what im missing? Do I need a more course compound and buff? And finally, am I wasting time on the tail light mouldings? (Thier probably not stainless steel are they?).

Big thanks for the help and I apologize for the long post.

Chris R.