Did you notice the finish getting worse over time or was it bad from the start? I read somewhere that aluminum floats can get tiny pits and scratches from normal use and those hold onto cleaning stuff or old finish. Then when you put it back in the tank it slowly leaches that junk out. I think someone on a detailing forum said they swap theirs out every year or so just to be safe. Could be total overkill though. Your mileage may vary but it's worth checking your float for any rough spots or discoloration.

Torquing by feel only works if your arm was calibrated yesterday

Man, way to make me feel great about my own teeth at 47 lol. Good luck with your dad though, that back and forth is real. Bridges are faster and cheaper but implants last way longer if he's healthy enough for the surgery. Just warn him that a bridge means scrubbing under that fake tooth forever or the ones holding it rot out too.