TH400 pans - color and finish

[69z27z87]

I have had my 69 SS396 for 18 years and it has always had a crappy chrome pan on the tranny. At Fall Carlisle, I got my hands on an original pan in pretty good condition with straight flanges. It has black paint on it and I was questioning whether or not it was original. From the tranny tag topic, I checked out the chevelle link and saw original pics showing black pans.... but what gloss? Looks satin from the pics but can't be sure.

So are the original pans satin black? or more semi?

thanks!

[x66 714]

Mine is not painted. Always has been..Joe

[KurtS]

Ditto. I think all auto pans were not painted. Anyone know of an exception?

[bcmiller]

All the ones I have seen were not painted. Natural metal.

[69z27z87]

I found some other pics where there were not painted include some NOS replacement parts in GM boxes... none were painted.

Since I want to powdercoat clear, I think I will blast it to remove the light rust then try to give it the best "natural finish" I can before coating...

thanks