Fuel shut-off valve

[totto]

I am repairing(rebuilding) this shut-off valve and want to know what color to paint the handle? Is it painted?

Thanks

Henry

 

[DougVieyra]

All of the originals that I have seen in my 50 years of 'fiddling' with these, have not been painted - just a plain metal finish. Maybe lacquered, I don't know about any protection that might have been put on the bare metal.

All of the reproductions that I have seen, have had the handle left unpainted.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yep, plain as Doug said, so semi-gloss clear lacquer would be a good protector.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I'm surprised to see the handle should have paint of cad plating. I've never seen a trace of either on all the handles I've seen.