Dash rocker switch surround colour and rear hatch lock finish

[sulzeruk]

I am half way through restoring all the dash parts of my 1970 2 + 2, some of the rocker switch surrounds are silvers, some are black. Only looking at pictures of 1970 cars, some seem to be silver, some seem to be black? Anyone idea what they should be?
Also the rear hatch assebly lock seems to be a funny white colour, were these cadmium plated when new?
Thanks, Alasdair

[Monkeyfinger]

The Series 2 switch surrounds should be silver as far as I am aware - if they are black, it's probably just down to wear. They can be easily painted with a fine brush and silver paint (and a steady hand)

[Simon P]

Same as Richard, I've only ever seen them in silver - Tamiya Flat Aluminium is your friend when it comes to touching then up (the original paint wears and chips very easily).

The rear hatch lock was always a bit of a scruffy affair that again marks up very easily. To my eye they look like bare unfinished aluminium, which probably suggests they were cadmium plated.

Simon

[sulzeruk]

Many thanks Simon, I'll get some Tamiya paint ordered up. I have stripped the back lock and escutcheon so away for plating now.
Alasdair

[E703SU]

Same as Richard, I've only ever seen them in silver - Tamiya Flat Aluminium is your friend when it comes to touching then up (the original paint wears and chips very easily).

The rear hatch lock was always a bit of a scruffy affair that again marks up very easily. To my eye they look like bare unfinished aluminium, which probably suggests they were cadmium plated.

Simon

Simon, Does the Tamiya paint blend in well with the original paint if only part of a rocker switch surround needs restoration, or if just a few but not all of the switch surrounds need full restoration? Also any helpful hints on how to brush the paint on the surround so that it looks right (besides not downing a pint before painting )? Thx

[Gfhug]

Guido, get a thin brush, maybe oo size.

Geoff

[Simon P]

Hi Guido

Yes, it blends in very nicely. As Geoff says, all you really need is a fine artists' brush and a steady hand. It's also a good idea to thin the paint a little with some acrylic thinners before you use it so that it flows from the brush more easily.

Simon

[E703SU]

Geoff/Simon -- thanks for the helpful suggestions. Sounds like an easy and satisfying winter project.