Belonging, as I do, to the hardbitten "depression-era" (perhaps only a personal depression) tribe, a more or less intact surface finish altered by an accumulation of grease 'n grime, UV, and the patter of trillions of tiny dust mite feet, attached to a mechanically functional gun, is a desirable thing. Cosmolene and and umblemished expanses of brightwork underneath would be even better!
On the subject of "going under the hood," I would think that an enlightened and skilled practitioner of the most techno/periodic correct redo might know better than his customer. Customers who mix aspirations for bespoke work with budgetary compromise are no doubt a great challenge. Maybe they have a long-term plan with affordable "stages," maybe they're idiots. Tell them to go have someone else hack away at their work until they get it wrong again or role your eyes and earn your daily bread.
jack
