Douglas: If I were you, I would etch-prime and paint it. You'll be better off in the long run, both from appearance and structural standpoints. There are a lot of very pretty polished birds out there, but they take a lot of attention, and do not have the protection from corrosion that a good paint job affords. That "black" stuff you're taking off is not just oxidation. It's metal also. Remember, you have "Stressed Skin Construction" Who knows how much has been taken off over the years. ----Just one more point of view. Fly happy, Doug
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