Good example of this is the Moebius Battlestar Galactica.
Do you paint the mottled finish of the well worn hull and panels of the ship? Or do you go out and buy the Accreation decal set with a 150 odd separate decals to go inside all the nooks and crannies. Either way will probably drive you to drink and pull your hair out!
I don't think there is a right way and a wrong way. Do what makes yourself happy and don't worry about what others think