Correct finish for Weinmann brake levers - gloss or semigloss?

[cbustapeck]

Tomorrow, I'm picking up a Jaguar Mark IV, and I'm excited to start detailing it as soon as I can. That said, I don't want to make it into something that it never was.

When new, were the Weinmann aluminum parts highly polished, or did they have a slightly dull look? I know it's possible to get them to an amazing finish, but I also know that, of the few NOS pieces I've seen, it's not quite that bright of a polish. Of course, it's quite likely that even NOS parts have oxidized some, so I don't see that as being definitive. If the bike is as amazing and original as it looks in the photographs, it deserves to be treated properly.

I understand that this may be being a bit pedantic, but hey, I'm the librarian - I have to research the matter to death.

 

[Roger Henning]

They were polished aluminum but not to the point you would think it was chrome plated. Roger

 

[GTs58]

The finish was just a clean aluminum with a nice shine. Only good example I have is my 56-58 NOS Mayweg carrier.

 

[OptimusJay]

i think your question is a fantastic one and one that I've wondered about over the years. That said, and with myriad options, I have been keen to use Blue Magic metal polish on most aluminum parts like the Weinmann brakes/levers you mentioned. I don't bring out a polisher/buffer but i do get it as nice as I can by hand with a microfiber towel and "elbow grease". Post a pic of the bike when you get it.
Jay

 

[cbustapeck]

Thank you all for those insights. I will definitely be posting pictures - this is a bike that I've always wanted but always thought would be out of reach - and I am thrilled, if everything works out tomorrow, to be custodian to it for a little while.

 

[cbustapeck]

i think your question is a fantastic one and one that I've wondered about over the years. That said, and with myriad options, I have been keen to use Blue Magic metal polish on most aluminum parts like the Weinmann brakes/levers you mentioned. I don't bring out a polisher/buffer but i do get it as nice as I can by hand with a microfiber towel and "elbow grease". Post a pic of the bike when you get it.
Jay