Your observation is correct. The factory finsh would have been the same as the brake cyl caps, maybe just a touch lighter.
I have had several NOS buckets which still retained this coating.
Not always wanting to replate/aply this coating I just blast them and clear coat.
Cheers
__________________
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car. 
|