What's it made of?

[JaneHibbert]

afternoon all. can anybody tell me what the boot stay is made of, it is a latter one which you have to sort of press and slide to close the boot. mine is messy and id like to clean it up. but cant paint obviousy as it slides. is it alloy or steel? thanks.

[ASL642]

Some form of steel I think. If you want to tidy it up try something like Hammerite smooth in silver after a good sand down to key.

[bmcecosse]

Steel is an alloy........ What's the problem with it - rust or just poor plating finish?

[JaneHibbert]

no rust just loads of bits of different colour paints and stuff. but i have some special silver paint i think ill paint it with that.

[les]

See if a magnet sticks to it, if it does then it's steel.(ferrous)

[bmcecosse]

If it has paint on - rub with thinner to remove.

[JaneHibbert]

magnet does stick so i'll clean off with thinners then give the thinnest coat of silver paint. thanks everybody.

[dp]

Wasn't it galvanized steel originally in which case silver paint would be a good approximation?

[bmcecosse]

Not sure about 'galvanised' which is usually a matt finish -I think 'bright finish' - possibly nickel - or cadmium !!