<p>This brief work corroborates the well-known fact that metallographic preparation is important for obtaining relevant observations, particularly when dealing with graphite in cast irons. This is illustrated here by the correct and then inadequate polishing of a spheroidal graphite iron alloy sample. Under an optical light microscope, the graphite appears essentially compact (no voids) after correct polishing, whereas graphite abrasion and nucleus detachment generated by improper polishing lead to a spatial rearrangement of graphite blocks in the central part of the spheroids. Similar effects can also be observed after appropriate polishing, when the sample is subsequently subjected to chemical or thermal etch, or else to ionic polishing. The characteristics then observed are not representative of the original arrangement of graphite in the spheroids and might lead to erroneous conclusions on spheroidal graphite growth.</p>