I am trying to piece together the process of vacuum bagging a CF part from
several sources and comments. I am trying to achieve a glossy finish on the
mold side of the finished part.

I though that the gloss that I saw on a purchased part was achieved from
GelCoat. The manufacturer tells me no - not GelCoat. He tells me that my
mold (aluminum) must have a 'mirror-like' finish and that I can get that
easily by having it Nickel plated.

But I'm not certain if that approach is compatible with my perception of the
process:

1. Nickel plate the mold.
2. Wax the mold several times.
3. Apply resin to both sides of the CF fabric.
4. Remove execess resin.
5. Apply CF to mold.
6. Apply peel-ply.
7. Apply breather.
8. Apply vacuum bag, seal.
9. Apply vacuum (18mm Hg) and slight heat to accel the cure (~110F)
10. Remove piece.
11. Buff or solvent (to remove wax?)
12. Buff to gloss?

What is confusing to me is why a mirror finish of the mold is 'absolutely
required' to achieve gloss(acc. to source) if I am applying and buffing the
release wax. He says 'the wax is going to transfer to the part'. I certainly
believe him, but 'im not getting how the gloss is 'applied' in the process.

I have done this process using water soluble release w/o plating the mold
and get a VERY dry-looking, matte finish on the mold side. The finished part
is indeed very light - so I thought I was removing TOO much resin to achieve
the gloss.

I have a lot to learn. Can someone help me make sense of this process so I
will have confidence that Nickel plating the mold is magically (and
counter-intuitively to me) going to yield this high-gloss finish?