As far as “what do most guys do” for finishes,
I can only answer as to what I have done.
The first motor I did for a friend. It was his dads
The cylinders and tank were black all of his life.
He asked for it to remain that way. The motor
spent many years in a dirt floor metal shed at their
lake cottage. It needed a parts motor. He’d
probably be surprised as to how much of his dads
motor has been replaced but it is again in running
condition.
The second came in a group of motors. Wasn’t
something I wanted to keep so I got it back in
running condition. Then I polished some, and
painted some, so I could pass it on.
The third was an early 1923 cast tank model A.
Except for the gas cap the motor was complete,
however the crankshaft was broken. Cleaning
reviled that most of the nickel remained on the
cylinders. I watch a bunch of you tube videos
on nickel plating. I’m able to do it but I don’t
have it all figured out yet. If I could figure out
where I’m going wrong it would be a pretty
simple process as far as doing brass and copper.
Tubs.
A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.