Painting steam chest question

[Benjamin Maggi]

My chassis for my Sweet William engine is in pieces in my basement in various stages of disassembly and painting. The engine has slide valves in steam chests. I plan to paint the outsides of the steam chest, but should I also paint:
1.) the surfaces (upper/lower) that will eventually receive the gaskets, or should I leave them plain steel?
2.) The inside steam chest cavity, or should I leave that plain steel too?

Thanks.
Ben

[hoppercar]

Leave the top and bottom bare steal....the gasket.will take care of that.......leave the inside bare, the steam cylinder oil.will take care of that

[NP317]

I only painted the outside surfaces. Oiled gaskets keep the mating surfaces in good shape., and steam cylinder oils keep the steam chest interior in good condition, IF you use compressed air to blow out the engines after operation, and then inject oil into the valve chests.
Russ

[Benjamin Maggi]

Thanks both! I will paint them today.