Then I went ahead and brushed, buffed and polished the parts because I figured that would take ony a few minutes per part.
For brushing, I used these sanding sponges you can get at the hardware store for cheap (150/220 grid, doesn't matter all that much).
WP_20130507_003 by
mkloberg, on Flickr
Since the parts still had tap-magic all over it, that make for a neat wet sanding process.
You may want to wear some latex finishing gloves for that, the buffing and polishing, that got kind of messy.
For buffing, I used a felt wheel on my bench grinder with green buffing compound.
For cleaning and polishing, I used regular kitchen towels, white shop rags and a product called 882 Liquid Metal Polish from Duragloss.
WP_20130411_001 by
mkloberg, on Flickr
I suppose any chrome/metal type automtive polishing product might do, but this stuff really made the parts shine almost like chrome (available from Northern Tool).
Meanwhile the motors, the belt, the thrust bearings and some other odds and ends arrived at the shop.
WP_20130407_003 by
mkloberg, on Flickr