I would soak them in Evaporust first, then have them powder coated as that will last a lot longer than spray paint.

No, won't last. If you have to, paint them silver, so the wear paths won't show as much.

+1 for the evaporust. After that I give the wire forms a quick once over with brasso or mothers mag polish. I like to finish with some rustoleum clear to help protect it after.

Yeah no way on the paint. The ball will wear the paint and drag it everywhere on the playfield as grime. Not to mention it will look like crap compared with simply cleaning and shining with evaporust and some elbow grease. Taking it to get powder coat or re-chroming is another option.

Evaporust, then clean up with fine steel wool. Then they could be re-plated or powder coated.

Spray paint won't last.

Before I'd try any top coat whether it be paint or powdercoat, I'd clean them with a brillo pad, polish them up the best I could, and wax them. You might be pleasantly surprised how nice they might turn out.

-Paul

My concern would be little fleks of paint coming off and messing other things up. I think that's why everyone powder coats, since it's much tougher.

Buffing wheel with black crayon, ultrasonic cleaner (have the big one), then Never Dull to keep from oxidation, buff to a shine with a clean rag

Yes, if you use a automotive grade paint and clear coat they will last in a home use environment. I would personally have them powder coated as I can get done pretty cheap at about $5-$10 per piece depending on size.

I have had good luck using aluminum foil to take rust off of chromed parts, use with a little coca cola or other acidic cleaner like purple power or bleach white. After getting the rust off then polish them up with some Novus 2 and they might clean up very well and may not need to be recoated.

You can paint them, but you must paint the balls the same color. That way, when the paint wears off the wireform, an equal amount of paint will be left behind as it wears off the ball.

Powder coat FTW.

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find local powdercoater, not a pinball guy. prob get it done for less than $100

Paint will come off in tiny specs on the playfield. Original brass plating on IJ is very thin and will rub off if cleaned or polished. My experience after trying the first 2 options was to have them stripped, replated in brass, and cleared which is baked on. Many years later they still look great.

I did WMS IJ wireforms by a professional using automotive paints, i.e. not powdercoating. I faced difficulties when I had to strip down the playfield and move the ramps, usually then, when screwing wireform bolts in, the paint started to come off in flakes. Don't do it. Powdercoating is the way to go.