I think they had some kind of a plating on them. Silver zinc or silver anodizing. They're definitely not supposed to be painted. I'd hit them with some 0000 steel wool. Itll remove the paint but not whatever plating is underneath
The finish you are seeing on it (sans scratches) is what was on it from the factory. Kind of a dull silver.
The color is almost identical to the plating on the windshield wiper arms. It’s a non reflective metallic. I will get a picture of friends convertible we are building. His are perfect.
