Why so boring?

Okay, so i've been modding combat arms gun textures for a day or two and they all look like shit. I may darken a few and add a few pictures, but when i color something, like lets say i wanted to color the scope red, it just looks so plain, like a 3d model. how would i add scratches or any other details, it just looks so plain, any other suggestions to make or more vivid?

have you tried looking in the Combat Arms Mod Tutorials section?