Speedometer gearbox - does it need painting?

The speedometer gearbox on my 1970 roadster was painted a silver colour. I'm in the final stages of a rebuild, and have taken off the paint, intending to repaint it. I have polished it up; and am wondering if it needs painting, or can be polished and left. I'm not sure of its material; it is not magnetic, so I assume that it is not steel; but it seems a darker hue than aluminium. I polished it today; the finish is not terrifically shiny so far, but it will be a bit easier if I can avoid painting it; I am sure that the paint will be scratched every time I take the wheel off.

I have seen one advertised for sale on Trademe (the New Zealand version of EBay); the vendor said that he had polished it.

Any thoughts?

The originals were just natural alloy as far as I know?

However the pattern replacements available today are normally painted.

I don't have a picture of my speedo gearbox,but it too was alloy (with the bronze ends) and instead of repainting I polished it up....real nice like and it looks 100% better.

I will post a picture when I get to the garage to snap a picture, but it'll be at least a week.

Eric

It's made out of zinc, same as the original carbs, no reason not to polish it although I don't know if the polish will last as long as it does on aluminum. I think the rason the factory (Smiths) painted it was because there are dissimilar metals in it (the caps are bronze) and polishing them all would result in a pizza looking part.

Jean

My original one looks painted with flat silver. It looks like it would be easy enough to paint, even if it got scratched. Wonder if the decals are available?

Dave
69S

DogT said:

Wonder if the decals are available?

Click to expand...

Yes, they are.

I'm not sure where you would get them in the US, but UK eBay seller "bonnietiler" (who sells Tri-Sparks, decal kits etc.) sells them.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/bonnietiler/m.html

Thanks
Dave

Thanks guys; I will leave it polished.