I'm with your LBS owner. Why deal with painting it? Hell, why even bother with even just the clear coat? Just leave it as-is and just maybe you'll end up with something that will look this good and last just as long.
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Ese dicho que me han dicho que tú has dicho que yo he dicho, ese dicho no lo he dicho, porque si lo hubiera dicho, ese dicho estaría bien dicho por haberlo dicho yo.