Roger Gibson would NEVER use cast gray paint on any component and cast gray paint is not at all correct on anything on a Mopar.

Black Or Natural ? single choice
	Black
	Natural
Votes accepted starting: 01/25/11 09:02 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

People - What's next? Wondering what color radiators, fans and torsion bars are supposed to be?

I went back and looked at some photos to see where I saw the Roger Gibson Bare/Natural Steering gear. On his website, there is a 69 1/2 A12 RR with a Bare/Natural Steering gear on a freshly restored K-frame. So now that I know that I am not I also looked at some other R. Gibson reference photos I had at the house and there are photos of BLACK gear boxes as posted above. In fact, one of the photos is for a HEMI 'CUDA.

THEN, I went and looked at Barry Washington's DVD for the 200+mile T/A Survivor and the car has (without a doubt) a NATURAL gear box.

Finally, I went and pulled my gear box from it's box and bag. It is still covered in 280,000 miles of grease/grime and originally looked natural. After doing some cleaning on it, I found evidence of black paint.

So, I still say...

To the OP I'd look really close and see if you see any black paint on your original anywhere.

"On his website, there is a 69 1/2 A12 RR with a Bare/Natural Steering gear on a freshly restored K-frame"

This one? It's a manual steering box.

jrwoodjoe - I am not trying to be a know it all - honest. I just think this one is a no-brainer and I am scratching my head on how this has become questionable. When I feel this strongly about something I tend to dig my heels in.....especially when everyone was disagreeing.

I have a lot of good, original, low mile cars to consult and I have had many before them.....I also always appreciated the help I have been given over the years so I always try and return the favor to help the hobby by answering questions, checking something, taking pictures - whatever people ask for. So, sorry if I come across harsh sometimes - I am here only to help......And make the odd joke.

No offense taken and I'm appreciative of your knowledge. That's what is great about this site. People can share information and when there is a discrepancy, it can usually be solved. Occasionally, one of my cylinders will misfire (like the Manual thing) and it's good to have a knowledgeable mechanic (in this case you) to get running right again.

When you go black you never go back.

One must keep in mind that we are discussing POWER steering boxes, MANUAL boxes were left natural. I 100% agree with Jim (FJ5fish). Like he says they don't paint them to last, just a dusting! Look under the mounting mating surfaces , you'll likely find black paint remnants.

So to be totally correct..... The power steering box should be a bare metal color with kind of a light black coating on it???

To be correct - Paint them fully with a 12-20% flattened black finish.

Like this Pic

Off topic, but the picture piqued my interest what color is the LCA attachment nut/washer (holds LCA to K-member)? have seen repops that are silver CAD and black phosphate saying they are "correct."

Usually..

Washer - Silver cad - or Zinc Phos

Nut - Zinc Phosphate