theweeb

Uncovered my 1968 jack, stamp shows it is the correct OEM one. Do I clean the rust and respray it to make it look like new, or do I keep it in its original "survivor" condition?

62corvette

If the rest of the car is a survivor, you leave the jack alone. If paint, interior, underhood has been spruced up/updated/modified, you restore the jack.

jackson

First, if there's any chance it'll get roadside use, I'd service it to ensure it'll extend-retract reliably.

If you're hung-up on conserving "survivor rust" .... maybe wire brush most of and then spritz jack overall with flat or semi-gloss clear?

Not certain, but OE black was likely applied via an "e-coat" process.

avalonjohn

If it were me I would at least wire brush that rust and oil it up. I bought my 68 in 1985 ( 17). Found my original jack in 2005. About the same condition. I had no idea it was there under the tray and buried in mouse nests ( this was pre -restoration). I cleaned it up and sprayed it. The original paint on these jacks was horrible anyway. Nice find. 67-68 jacks are pricey.

theweeb

Yeah, saw them on eBay for $650 with the rust! I likewise found this by accident, had to pull the bin frame and center bin to get to the bolt that holds the parking brake console, removed the one on the side as well and found it. The 'vette is not a survivor by any means, headers, side pipes, poor respray, chrome valve covers and even a chrome dipstick handle - remember when we are all doing that in the '70s?

I am going to clean the rust and give it a spray (oil, black, or maybe a light coat of clear to prevent more rust), replace the ratty insulation with something cleaner and more effective (suggestions welcome) and get two new bins, as the OEM ones are badly deteriorated.