I am going to paint the rims of the idlers and steel wheels some sort of color before applying the steel pigment (often used for pioneer tools). My question is what is the best color for this--bare steel, oil steel? I use vallejos for such purposes.
Thanks.

For metal that has had the paint worn away I like to use Tamiya flat aluminum followed up by metallic grey both dry brushed on. The grey will take away the parts that are too shiny and dull it down. Hope this helps.

I use Vallejo Oily Steel

Don't think I would use oily steel by itself, but I it would make a nice base for the dark steel pigment.

Whatever the base color is, then graphite on top of that.

So on a Sherman idler.... OD and then graphite.

I've grown to really like the Humbrol Metal Cote line for this. Rub it with some graphite and you get a really nice deep steel look.

Matt