Trying to get all my underhood finishes correct on my 79 F250. Here's a pic of them after evaporusting - I can clear them and call it good (or paint with the Eastwood Detail Gray) if they look close enough because I hate messing with the springs...

 

They look good to me. You might shoot some clear on them, or paint them in a natural color. I'd go clear.

Please don't chrome them!

 

I kinda want to say that I've never seen any original ones with any trace of paint.

So correct color is just bare steel and grease. Clear could work but may flake off due to lack of primer.

Black powdercoat gloss is a good go-to, and chrome always turns out awesome on these.

 

I'd use a self etching primer then paint and clear.

.....not knowing what the process you mentioned is.

 

I'd just clean them up real good, and try for a consistent natural finish. Powder coating might last, but I wouldn't trust paint to not chip or get marred.

 

Thanks everyone - sounds like bare steel is the consensus. I'm trying to do a "Concours" style resto on this truck - Pebble Beach here we come! I never had one of these when new or worked on them, so I did not know how they appeared when they left the factory. Boeshield T9 is a spray on protectant designed to stop rust from developing on bare steel. It only lasts 6 months, but is easily reapplied. I'll try this and see how long it lasts.

 

But that what they looked like back in the '70s? Maybe they had some sort of coating which is long worn away on them all.

 

I believe the original finish was phosphate and oil. There are some for sale on the web that are cadmium plated like Grade 8 hardware.

 

New Ford original stock hinges are bare steel.