My Crossfire is the SSB and I think it wears it well, but most colors do also, kind of sets the Crossfire apart and picks up other styling ques. Some reports of people having theirs painted to match which is your option. I believe it is made of some sort of plastic, but there are paints specially made for that.
Sounds like you may have a radio problem as that's the correct procedure. Read the book and check it out, mine programmed fine.