my one step colder plugs are black with white speckles.
What is this a sign of?

 

Not good... Black = running rich.. and white speckles= detonation...

 

White 'ash' on the electrode/insulator can also be from oil burning.
Do you burn any oil at all?
If not add some fuel, throw in some fresh plugs and do a hot run. Shut down right after you get off the gas; pull your plugs and see what they say.

I initially tuned by doing this, (musta pulled em' 30times in one night, lol) and ended up pretty close to the right A/F. (13-11.5 when on the dyno)

Can you put some good pics up?