Hi Dawn,
it sounds that you can take the individual standards out, can you polish them individually? Otherwise, my best results come from
1) using low nap polishing pads or even better diamond lapping films,
2) not overpolishing. I rather move to the next lower grade after a few minutes and then go back to the previous step if needed.
3) moving down the grades in steps of "3" (like 9, 3, and 1 micron) and
4) my super-duper trick: finishing step with 1 micron and below with diamond paste on an manila envelope (yes, the ones from the mailroom). Often, many standards look still pretty bad after the 3 micron step and this step just makes them look great after 1 minute of polishing. Never got the same results with 1 micron diamond film or using a polishing pad and diamond suspension.
Otherwise, make sure if any of the standards can't handle water or so. I fell into that trap when re-polishing my Mg-metal. It really did not take kindly to being rinsed off.....