Plastic on back of tuning machines?

[NJ6964]

Hi all, potentially very silly question here:

I just received an orangewood Rey guitar and notice a plastic/rubbery material on the back of the tuning machines (the round back cover). This is the same material that’s on another cheap acoustic I have and in that instance the material is pulling away at the edges.

In Orangewood’s online photos the tuners look metallic on the back. Before I go picking away at what might just be a protective layer of plastic, I wanted to check...

Is this just a protective layer of plastic or is it part of the tuner?

Thanks!

[Brucebubs]

I think you'll find it's just a protective piece of plastic - I've seen it on some guitar tuners.