I like your technique and the use of the wire brush, your graining looks fantastic also. My process after removing all flash etc, is sanding the part with 80 grit sandpaper and a light sanding with 220 grit, I feel the deeper scratches allow the darker color to settle in, no primer just straight to tamiya desert yellow using a soft 1/4" wide brush, once dried I use an artist acrylic Raw Umber, for the benches etc I use it right out of tube with a stiffer bristled brush to achieve a darker appear