Methods for painting the Colonial clamshell?

[Mechamaniac]

I've had one of these sitting around for a few months and I finally want to paint it. I've seen some very nice ones done here and I was wondering what methods / colors others have used on theirs. I'm going for a pristine, just issued look.

Thanks!

 

[TridCloudwalker]

If you want it to look like blued steel, use semi-gloss black paint and then rub it all down with graphite powder (any kind). If you want it to look like bare steel, grind up a 6B or 9B graphite stick, and rub it over flat black.

I could do it for you if you like for a couple bucks.