I along with a few other brass coolant tanks have had them stripped of their paint and run them in the nude. Steve Hose recommended a polish that we apply regularly to keep the shine and luster. An acquired taste for sure.
I didn't realize it was the wine that gives it the warm patina. I'll have to try that.I do indeed like the unpainted look, but mine's not mirror polished, just kept from tarnishing with occasional polish and wine, as a result it has a warm golden patina to it, you don't need sunglasses to look at it
I picked up a brass tank and plan on "back dating" my '73 and running the brass tank in lieu of the plastic one. I love the look of the polished brass a la @Stevehose . I'm struggling with the whole "original ones were black" concept. But there is enough that is non-original under my hood that I think the polished brass can't take more away. Plus it will put a smile on my face.
The more I think about this, the more I am surprised that leaking in the brass tanks would have been so prevalent. The radiator is essentially two brass tanks on either end and they aren't as prone to leaking. But then again, new rads are plastic tanked, too. It reminds me of the quote from the movie "The Graduate":
Stephen, it's most certainly the wine. And if you don't like the look after a few months and more bottles, it's an easy paint job back to original.
