Wheel/Axle Preparation with Powder

[Murph]

Question:
What is the optimal bore/axle preparation before "burnishing" the bore with powder (graphite or graphite/moly mixtures)?

Thoughts:
Most of us polish the wheel bores to a glass finish before burnishing with graphite. I feel that this ideology might be incorrect.
In order to keep the powder embedded into the surfaces, there must be some imperfections in the axle/wheel bore surfaces that the graphite can embed and stay put.
I have done limited work in this area. I have tried 1000 grit sandpaper and the surface was too rough and slowed the cars times down considerably. Additionally, I could hear the roughness of the axle/bore surfaces as the car traveled down the aluminum track.
There must be some optimal surface finish for each type of graphite that is out there.

Anybody have any thoughts on this area?

[*5 J's*]

Murph - I have always thought it to be intuitive that the smoother the surfaces the faster the car, however, recent discussions have made me question this both with graphite and oil.

I did have a scout polish to 1000 grit during a workshop and placed top 3 in Pack and top 10 in district. My son polsihed to submicron and speeds were not significantly different. There are too many other variables to gain much from this - but it's an observation.

You note that tried 1000 grit sandpaper and the surface was too rough and slowed the cars times down considerably - compared to what? A submicron polish? It would be nice to bound the range.