Is it bare metal (with subsequent rust spots) or a sheen of black? I've seen conflicting opinions on this and I'm going to tackle my empty engine bay the next few days. Inquiring minds....
Dave Johnson sent me this, which came out of the GSX he got from Herb when he replaced it with a tilt.
Here is what mine looked like before I tore everything apart also after I degreased it. Hopefully of ya zoom in on the engine pic may help
Here is another I just pulled from mothballs. Doing a spring cleaning because I have plenty of time. It’s a tilt judging by the C at the end. Again no black paint just gray. There are black and blue ID spots however.
I don’t think it’s natural. It has a gray coating. Probably phosphate. Look towards the C on the tilt I posted. That is natural at that end.
Not to disagree but I think usually phosphate coating has a very slight texture not slick smooth. I know the phosphate coated hinges and other parts that I have are???
Might have to do with the characteristics of the steel you start with or maybe it’s just a different gray coating?