I have seen guys polish piston crowns, the head side chamber face, and face of valves. It supposedly reflects heat easier.
I do know, trying to tig weld polished aluminum is significantly harder to get a puddle started,, it takes a ton more juice, but once it starts, flows out just as easily.
Another test, would be polish a nut, and then try a heat comparison with a non polished nut. Heat with a torch, see which one turns red first.
These are just another thought for "next time" trying to prevent the next "next time".