Don't paint them. Even with clear coat it won't hold up. You need to powder them. Matte orange is easy.

I used automotive paint and cleared it afterwards and it is holding up fine. So I would say yes clear over it after you are done.

Phoebe

Take it too a powder coater - just type powder coating and your area in google. Should cost about $50 and perfect finish

I spray can paint legs, lock down bars, etc. and never had a problem, they do hold up just fine. Screw paying for powder coat.
Just my opinion, Bob

I soak parts in rust remover, clean with wire brush, sand to rough up the surface, then spray a couple light coats of paint and finish with clear. Haven't had any problems really.

I think the concern comes from wear on the lock down, or sides from hand wear.

For $$$ value, and lots of game play, powder coat is the way.
For savings, less concern of value, and very light play, you can paint.

I have done both with no issues, although a painted game showed wear when I saw it about 12 years later
after trading it.

Where possible, I prefer a wrinkle or textured paint. Hides the imperfections and the reason you are doing this.

I also tend to use CLR or Evapo rust, and decide then if the legs are good enough to save. Otherwise, brush/sand, automotive primer, paint, and clear coat if you wish.

I also like to paint my legs exterior, standard wrinkle black, but the interior, depending on game I match....red, green, aqua, silver, gold, etc. The two tone, to me, looks sweet!

I've used Krylon & Rustoleum hammer finishes in the past, but the color choices seem to have diminished about 1 year ago.

http://www.krylon.com/products/dual-hammered-finish/

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/universal/universal-hammered-spray-paint

I've never used Hammerite, but they have a few more colors.

http://www.hammerite-paint.com/

I don't use clear over the wrinkle paint, but I suppose it would lend a little more durability and probably cause a little more work when you go to do touch ups.

Robert

If you're talking about painting over chrome, getting the paint to adhere properly is a bigger issue than whether you apply clear or not. While the paint will look OK for a while, it will eventually chip off the glossy chrome finish. First you need to rough up the chrome with some sandpaper and then apply a self-etching primer before doing the color coats.

http://forums.mightycarmods.com/showthread.php?15684-How-to-paint-over-chrome

Exactly^^ before painting chrome rims used self etching primer before painting with urethane , 20 years later still adhering.

Wish I lived in your neighborhood, went to a local powdercoater for a quote, they told me at least $250 just for the setup charge!!

I have done some research on the subject and powder coating is not hard to do. All you need is an oven to cure the coating. For small parts, an old kitchen oven works fine. Bigger parts require a larger oven.

Google DIY powder coating for more info and check out you tube.

Its not a hard process, but does require an investment (oven, sprayer, etc..)

I've used the Rustoleum hammer finish paint on legs too and they look good and have held up. If you want a permanent nice finish on an already nice machine then powdercoating is the way to go, but if you're just trying to clean up a pair of rusty old beater rails and legs then going the rust-off/spray paint route works fine. I'm sure throwing a clearcoat on top would add some durability.

Find a new guy to do your powder coating!!!! He's ripping you off. I had the entire metal frame from my 4 Million BC powder coated including all metal trim and he even powder coated the nuts and bolts for $100.00 total! Yes, he worked it in between production jobs and it took five weeks to get back but the price was right and the work was outstanding.

If it's chrome legs, did you try the simple cola+aluminum foil trick?

http://www.flippermarkt.de/community/forum/showthread.php?t=130772&highlight=cola

(it's in German but the pictures alone should suffice)

That only works for small things. Very small. You can't do a leg or even a lockdown in a kitchen oven. It needs to hang not lay flat. You need an oven that's at least 6x6x4 to do a single game. You will also need a chemical vat, licensing for the powder removal chemical, and a large blast chamber with medium and at least a 60gallon 125 psi compressor.

That will suffice for doing one game.

PS, please don't try this in your home oven. No one wants to visit you in the hospital after eating your next casserole. Powder is toxic and gets everywhere.

Neither way is right.

Top-of-the-line: Get it powder coated professionally

Budget: Buy some cans of spray paint

You all need to step back a bit and realize some people have the cash to spare no expense for improvements, and some people 'Pin' on a budget.

You can buy brand new powder coated legs from Pinballife for $75

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=2647

Orange, red, black, yellow... Plus he has chrome.

Or if its a nice game, I highly recommend powdercoat. I've done 2 of my machine with no regret at all.