Steve, I have several close-ups of the example preserved in the UK as part of the Shuttleworth Collection, and they show the wires a bright steel natural color, definitely not painted, suggesting either a clear coat or oil.

What is the size of your model and are the wings going to be detachable for transport?

Beyond that, I think the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail your work exhibits, is rarely seen and definitely stands out in all I have seen in many scale forums. I think you have taken this far beyond the level of a flying model hobby and you are truly an artist.

It seems you approach it all in a different manner than most of us who build, and then if there's any "steam" left, try do detail. Rather, it seems you finish and detail as you go along in the construction which is an approach I will definitley be wanting to try myself.

Keep it up, I think your work is something to look up to for any serious scale modeler.