Old timey boxcar color

[choffman41]

I'm assembling a batch of UP old time truss rod boxcars. They are basically red oxide in color but the bottoms are bare die cast. Would these have been painted also or left natural wood?
Thanks.....
Chuck

 

[brakie]

Chuck,Those would be painted the same color of the car..However due to the ballast dust,break shoe smoke and debris,oils,grease, and all round dirt the under flooring did not stay clean..