| The short answer is it should of been removed years ago. It's just the plastic protective layer they put on to stop the metal getting scratched in transit.
Had you removed it before you would have noticed that the finish is shinier with the plastic removed.
Take it off and use a decent metal polish to bring them up as good as new. I recommend Meguiars Metal Polysh (their spelling not mine). Available from most Halfrauds stores.
It was acceptable in the 80's | 
