Cleaning Original Manual Steering Gearbox

[gwp4]

Hi guys -

I've got my original manual steering gearbox and it's got 51 years of crud on there.  What should I use to get it all off without harming any of the original skin/paint?  What was the original color and is there anything out there in a spray paint that comes close? Would a little soap and water and a some wire brush be pretty harmless on the gearbox?  Are there holes I need to plug?  Also, is there a reputable company which specializes in restoring old manual steering gearboxes?  Finally, is it recommended to just put as much grease inside the box to keep it smooth and operating easily?  Is STP any good?  Look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.  It's the original gearbox so I'm trying to save it for judging competition.  Cheers, gwp4

[69Z28-RS]

when you clean it, I think you're only going to find bare cast iron...

[Petes L48]

I'd put it in a pan of kerosene first to soak, then take an old paint brush to it, or possibly use parts cleaner if that stuff doesn't remove old paint markings you may be looking for.  Soap and water won't remove the built up grease. 

[Stingr69]

Simple Green soak down, a soft bristle paint brush and a water rinse is the best hope to preserve anything left under the grime. 

[gwp4]

All good helpful hints.  I believe the correct color was natural steel finish for both the gearbox and Pitman arm.  After getting them to natural steel, should they be clear coated or just Seymour cast blast painted instead.  What was correct from the factory?  Thanks. 

[ko-lek-tor]

Lot of guys use Boshield to preserve the cast finish.

[PHAT69AMX]

To be easy on the original part and finish I used WD-40 liquid from the square 1-gallon can from Lowe's and / or Kerosene for real tough greasy oily dirt, followed by WD-40, both with only soft brushes and rags.  All to minimized the impact to the part and finish and paint marks, yet get it clean, and afterward a WD-40 wipe down 1 or twice a year after that to keep it looking fresh.