I have two well worn redeyes - I cleaned off the shiny metal to not much avail - probably plating is worn off... I used machine oil to clean and it looks ok but with dings and broken up decals, I think some machines just never look like new. I'm not into taking them apart except as I work on cleaning and then only if necessary. And if necessary, only as long as it takes to take it apart, clean it and put it right back on. My old 66s do turn very well though and sew fantastic. They would be workhorses once again, not some kind of show piece. I think it is a matter of what is the bottom line - a show piece or a work horse. I guess they could be stripped down and repainted to look like a hot rod - maybe I should research how to do that.