mpeter

Hi, I just took off my steering box for rebuilt. I was wondering how do you guys restore the outside of the steering box!! I'have seen a lot a people painting those parts black or grey.

Are the original one painted or just raw iron?
Do I have to protect the parts against rust, how?
What kind of paint do you use, how many layers?
What is the best result, spray or brush?

Thanks for the tricks and experience sharing
Michael

sray454

First - Welcome to the forum ... you'll find lots of answers here.

Are the original one painted or just raw iron?
That depends on the year ... most C# were painted semi-gloss black

Do I have to protect the parts against rust, how?
Yes - if you leave it raw cast. Try Pre-Lube 6, or CRC Protect

What kind of paint do you use, how many layers?
1 tack coat, 1 wet coat should do it

What is the best result, spray or brush?
spray for sure

Jim Shea

The original power steering gears and flexible couplings were not painted when they were shipped from the manufacturer (Saginaw Steering Gear Div) to the Corvette assembly plant(s) in St. Louis or Bowling Green. I also think that the frames came into the assembly plants already painted so the gears most likely didn't even get any black paint from overspray.

The power steering pumps were painted a semigloss enamel chassis black.

Tom73

One vote for Painted
and one for Unpainted

Others :D :D

NHvette

The Richard Prince Restoration guide says they are usually natural in color,
though some are painted semi gloss black.

How's that for decisive ?

I'd clean it up nice and hit it with satin clear.

:seeya

vettemack

According to the 68-69 NCRS manual, "The steering shaft is natural finish." "The steering box and cover are either natural finish or have a semi-gloss black tar-like protective coating". "Three black phosphate bolts hold the cover in place. The natural finish predominates on early production cars in both years. One or two yellow paint inspection marks are frequently seen on unpainted steering boxes."
You decide. Most I have seen are natural but I painted mine with cast blast to minimize rusting but it would be detected at a NCRS judging contest.

Robd

:iagree:

I painted mine a cast paint. I want my car to look correct and I am using the NCRS judging guide as just that a guide. Only a few things on my car has been left natural. Like the ball joint rivets in the control arms, the end caps on the u joints. All of which have started to rust, so I have to go back and fix that. I hate rust!