Rayfan and Keith,
I want you guys to know that the great cosmic question of whether to paint, or not paint our artillery carriages has turned into kind of a running gag on this forum, so don't think that the posts you read on this topic should always be taken seriously (at times my tongue is firmly implanted in my cheek when discussing this subject).
I think that the two posts that precede this one impart a fair amount of common sense to the discussion, but at this point I must also interject that anyone caught painting Gabon ebony, bubinga, Honduran mahogany, cocobolo, etc., should be taken to the nearest tree (any variety will do) and hung up by his heels.