I needed to change the colour of two Copper wire tow cables for a PZ4, But I needed them to be Steel coloured.
I looped a thread of cotton around the cable ends and completely bathed them in a 250ml tin of "Hammerite Smooth Silver Metal Paint",
I left them in the tin for an hour before taking them out and hanging them up to dry,
The result surprised me. It took overnight for them to dry but they have retained their Silver colour and their flexibility.
I do not know if "Hammerite" is available in the US or if it is available in Black but maybe It is a pointer as to an alternative instead of Chemicals.
Shaun.