The more I learn about vintage electronics, the more what you advise seems to be the best practice.

As yet I have zero direct experience with component level repair/PCBs. (Indirect experience? When a G4 MDD would no longer respond to my best troubleshooting, the only thing that worked was a PSU replacement for which I had to use a non-local "exchange for recapped unit" service.)

Not sure the best way to learn. All local electronic "repair" shops just replace things. I don't think they do any soldering. (And the most precise instrument currently in my collection is a 3 lb soldering gun...