My overall point is that CC is a viable option for both appearance AND durability that you can't just easily get through alternative means, and on top of it, looks the most realistic at the end of the day. Sure, if you just want a dust collector then maybe just painting it will be enough for you, but when you have props that need to be worn and handled, possibly even take a beating every now and then, it's much easier for me to whip out some brasso and polish a blemish than to have to repaint the entire thing.