Need help with parts restoration.

Need help with parts refinish/paint.

I'm restoring the front end on my '69 Mach I, (still!). For the suspension parts, the MCA judging book (and Helms detailing guide) state: 'The following suspension parts are to be natural:'. So, I used POR-15 Metal Mask, 'bare metal finish' (silverish color) on the power steering control valve (and some other parts) which I thought would be 'natural' finish. When I pulled my new tie rod ends out of the box, they are blackish bare metal! Obvious mis-match. So what is 'natural', and how do I achieve that color/look?
FWIW: Took out the old parts, striped them down to bare metal (but a few areas of pitting/light rust remained), treated them with POR-15 Marine Clean and then Metal Ready. Primed with Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator, then painted with the Metal Mask.
Am I going to have to remove all that and refinish somehow to get the correct 'natural' color? (Just shoot me now.) But again, what is that 'natural' finish they refer to?
Thanks for all/any help.

(Tried to post this earlier, don't think it came through.)
 

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