I'm a fan of the tape too.
Back in the day (80's early 90's) we did used to polish our skates, before every competition and every test. The finish on my new skates feels different from that of my old ones. Of course they're also different brands, but I don't know if the finish would even take polish. Edea does sell skate polish. Don't know if it's different from what we used to use back in the day (purchased at the skate shop), or if it's different from what you can get at the cobblers. It was more liquidy though, and applied with a sponge applicator, not a wax.
I will say, that the more I polished my skates, the yickier they got. So I suspect it's also a slippery slope, once you get going with the polish you might be committed.
Before the natural soles, we also had some nasty product that we'd put on the black part to clean it up. SO GLAD that's not something I have to worry about any more.
My take home: sk8tape is your friend.