DLT-20A Color Question

[Kegluneq]

I'm heading into the final coat of painting for my DLT-20A and I am wondering about the color. I was just going to go flat black but I watched a video saying that black doesn't show details on any sort of film or picture. They suggested using Gun Metal Gray.  Below is the tip of the blaster in Gun Metal Gray, the glove is just to show the difference to black.  You you all think its okay to keep going or should I go with a darker gray? 

[Chopper]

I think gun metal gray would be too light.

This is a photo from the screen used DLT20A in ESB:

If you look at the hues in the rifle's color, it appears that the color is black, but but with some significant weathering and bluing effects.

[Barber]

For what it’s worth, Disney has a bunch of DLT-20As on display in their Rise of Resistance ride (in the queue area before the briefing). They are all black with a good amount weathering, so that’s personally what I went with when I painted mine. 
 

 

[Aradun]

If you’re going for that realistic bluing effect, I know there are several different ideas such a applying graphite and then a clear coat, or using airbrush paints such as

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?products_id=22497

I’ve not tried it personally but am itching to give it a shot once I start 3D printing.

If you search “bluing effect for plastic guns” you should get some info on various tips from prop communities.

[Aradun]

For what it’s worth, Disney has a bunch of DLT-20As on display in their Rise of Resistance ride (in the queue area before the briefing). They are all black with a good amount weathering, so that’s personally what I went with when I painted mine. 
 
 

Yep! I remember that post! Sweet job! Excellent work. Got it book marked for reference when I get around to building my own.

[Kegluneq]

Thanks for the input everyone! I went and got some ‘Industrial Black Spray Enamel’ and it looks pretty dang good. One question: it’s kind of rough after it dries, do I sand it down again or is it cool to now highlight/weather?

[Aradun]

Assuming that you sanded the base coat and cleaned the gun before applying the enamel, I would give it a light buffing with 400 grit to knock back the roughness, especially over the larger surfaces areas where it’s supposed to be smooth like the barrel and stock. Make sure you clean it thoroughly after sanding before you weather it.