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Cheers, sounds good! I'm done detailing a pearl white frame, clay bar has done a great job of removing imbed grime from scratches, in my limited experience more effective and not as harsh as cutting compound. I still followed up with compound to remove some orange peel and finished with a synthethic sealant (meguiar's tech wax 2.0), as it was recommended for white paint over conventional carnauba wax. The sealant really made the lacquer pop, easier to clean-up as well, really pleased with the outcome.
As for rims, like you said, any alu brake surface will wear eventually, machined brake tracks have a much more consistent look to it over worn in anodized rims. I went for shot peened/black anodized/machined DT Swiss 411 for my Chorus 10sp hubs/groupset. This was meant for the white cannondale I've mentioned ^, I'll post a pic if If you're interested.
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I've just gone through all of the above quandaries for my new road bike wheels and ended up going for the silver Flirts in 20/24 but in the 30 profile. I originally wanted the shallower 23's but it's worth noting that the brake track is very shallow and my wheel builder wasn't keen to do a 24 hole rear due to potential flex. I've not had all silver wheels before and I'm yet to ride on them but in terms of looks I'm very happy with my choice.
EDIT: 23 not 21.5...
Archetypes are a sound choice, though the decals are hard to remove and I'm not convinced the high polish finish suits anything but box section rims*. DCR Flirt seems like another good choice. Slightly lighter, cheaper, and available in OC (off center, as in asymmetric) which is a nice thing to have with a campagnolo body hub. Here's the range of finishes.
*Shamals aside