In this case doesn't polished mean finished (lapped?) using some kind of very fine grinding agent (much like optical mirrors). Is this a mechanical or hand polished finish? If you can "polish" an optical mirror to exacting tolerences by hand as used to be done with telescope mirrors, why can't you "polish" (lap) a water block to an equally fine finish? I can see a problem with getting a fine surface with hand lapping using incorrect techniques.
One thing I've noticed. The lettering on top af AMD Athon TBird CPUs stands out a considerable distance. After removing a couple of (lapped) aluminum heatsinks from these CPUs I've seen the impression left from the CPU lettering on the heatsink plain as day. The only way to remove it is by lapping. How can you get the really good contact across the CPU with the lettering raised like this?
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