I've searched everywhere for one, and all I can find is people doing quick gimp tutorials on how to make very crappy-looking textures for weapons (not using images), or they have nothing to do with texturing a weapon at all.

All I want to do is put a realistic gold texture on a weapon I'm making for Oblivion, and I can't figure out how to do it alone. Does anyone know of a detailed tutorial on something like that?

I'd also settle for another texturing tool, other than Gimp, if it gives me the same end result (has to be free). As long as I get the look I'm trying for.