I've been playing around with this too. Last night I took an old bottle of brake fluid and used it to remove the paint. It warns you right on the bottle not to get brake cleaner on the paint of your car. I think I understand why now <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. About a half teaspoon full of brake fluid, a paper towel, and 3 to 5 minutes and the bottom of my tin was down to bare metal (I did not want to strip the whole tin, just the bottom).

I then took 1000 grit wet/dry sand paper to it (I bought a couple packages at AutoZone). Followed this up with 2000 grit sand paper. I used plenty of water with the sandpaper as the water removes the cuttings. And then used rubbing compound on an old towel (bought the rubbing compound at AutoZone too). I think next I'll try to hit the polished metal with lacquer to prevent rust.

It works pretty well. Not as shiny as my mirror but it does reflect light.