correct finish on a few parts for 69

Mornin' Gents. I'm having a friendly discussion with some other mopar peeps about correct finishes on a few parts and I'd like some more input:

Leaf Springs: For 69, I know they were painted black. But was the whole spring painted after it was assembled as a unit? In other words, the clamps and insulators get blacked out as well?

Valance brackets: The brackets on the back of 68-70 Chargers that bolt to the rear frame and pass under the valance and provide a mounting point for the rear bumperettes. Are these natural steel or painted black? All the ones I've ever seen off original cars had no traces of any black paint on them. But I know the factory paint was applied pretty thin, so it just may have worn off over time. So black or natural colored?

Pinion Snubber: Black or natural? 8.75", not the Dana. I now the 3rd member was natural, just didn't know if the snubber was black or natural.

Brake Backing Plates (F & R): Black or natural? I have seen both. What's considered correct? I have found several markings on front backing plates (all 11") and have yet to find any remnants of black paint. This includes St. Louis and Hamtramck cars.

Upper Control Arms: Black or Natural?

I know there were differences from plant to plant and it's not an exact science, but from what I've asked what is acceptable on judging? Is there a plating/finish guide out there somewhere? I have one that's pretty old, and it jumps around so much it's hard to follow so I want to make sure I'm understanding what they say correctly. Thanks!

Cheers

Leaf Springs: For 69, I know they were painted black. But was the whole spring painted after it was assembled as a unit? In other words, the clamps and insulators get blacked out as well?

Sorry - honestly I'm not confident enough to answer this one


but -

Valance brackets: natural

Pinion Snubber: natural

Brake Backing Plates (F & R): black( dark ) phosphate - not painted

Upper Control Arms: Black or Natural - personally I've seen them both ways

Most typical springs were natural. Only a few from certain factories were painted in 69 B-bodies. If painted they were brush painted flat black.

Drum brake backing plates - Zinc phosphate plated

Upper Control arms - Typically flat black. 40% flattened acrylic enamel.

Per Roger Gibson retoration article.Mopar Action Dec. 1993

What say you on the springs Jim? Yours is the article I'm using as my reference and by hard to read, I just mean my scans are bad. With regards to A12 cars, the springs were black. But again, different plants than Chargers. Is it plant specific or were all 69s painted? By the way, thanks for the corroboration on my 70 Charger skid plate issue on the other board.

Update: Just reread a question I asked on the A12 forum and saw your reply there. So looks like really, any finish is correct depending on what supplier/vendor was used.

Cheers

Paul Jacobs did my 69 RR. A couple of pictures are attached.

Front

Quote:

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What say you on the springs Jim? Yours is the article I'm using as my reference and by hard to read, I just mean my scans are bad. With regards to A12 cars, the springs were black. But again, different plants than Chargers. Is it plant specific or were all 69s painted? By the way, thanks for the corroboration on my 70 Charger skid plate issue on the other board.

Cheers

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Pic of an original survivor A12 bee. Natural springs