What is Original MK3 Spoke Finish? Solutions?

As I clean and polish bits on my 75, I find the spokes just don't look good. They are rough and dull looking. I wonder if they were painted or plated.
I have polished them with scotchbrite, but not much help. If they were painted what was the color, it looks sort of green or grey. I was thinking about silver paint, any thoughts?
Jaydee

Assuming the spokes are seperate from the wheel.. Not original i know but, Stainless cant be beaten for looks, or a bit more of a traditional protection, coating could be "rifling blue"... Just a thought!..

Cadmium plated? :?:

Original was zinc plated spokes = grey.

Its popular these days to fit stainless spokes...

if you are going to go to the trouble go stainless. Central wheels & spokes are the folks to talk to

Stainless spoke sand nipples are an obvious sign of lack of originality. Most spokes were zinc plated. It depends on what you want. Even if the bike is to be entered in a concours 'd elegance competition, most of the judges probably would not pick the detail. I think most people these days like their all bike shite and briny new. Personally, I think stainless bits on an early bike look shit-house, however that is just me on a nostalgia trip - nit-picking. I hate Velocettes, however I think the Clubman's Velo is delicious if it is nut and bolt detail correct. A millionaire friend has an absolutely perfect Atlas, it makes me feel good to realize that it still exists in unbuggered form. Another one has a perfect, unrestored Norton CS1 - useful for what ? - however I love it. It all depends on values - a moustache on the Mona Lisa would probably improve it ? - like a high level pipe and muffler on a manx.

Ugh, thin grey zinc thats like polishing a turb down to the slightly darker steel, if not yet rusted too. If ya like sparkle jump fence to chrome or SS. Front rotor side spokes tend to darken most and rust nipples.

Steel wool cleans em up pretty good.Available at most hardware stores in the paint departments.