There are some different things that you can do. It all depends on what the surrounding metal looks like that you are trying to match. You may have to re polish the screw heads and then work from there. Things like vinegar or bluing remover will slightly dull a polished screw. Or flaming the screw head can darken it more. A very qigong application of cold blue can darken it too, but it sounds like a lighter bare metal patina look might be what you are more going for.
Lighting a PAPER match head on a polished screw head will actually create micro pitting and dull the surface. Let it set with be chemicals from the match on it and it will quickly start to patina. It is a bit of trial and error in getting the look you want.
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B. Dudley
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