Just a matter of interest were gearboxes when new or reconditioned painted or just left bare aluminium . So if they were painted what colour were they painted in , as to either leave or paint . cheers .
If your going to paint it make sure you use an etch primer first otherwise you will find the paint will lift over time I etched mine then brush painted it with tractor enamel
Mine is a recon, it was painted black but in reality it was painted with gearbox oil sprayed out of the left hand driveshaft seal, covered in dirt so was even blacker. Since I have fixed many oil leaks on my bus, stuff is starting to go rusty...
