Making sharps look sharp

[Phil Ryan]

Dear list,

Has anyone a method of restoring (painting) a set of sharps that is in
good condition, but the black paint has worn off?  I've sprayed  them
three times with thee different  cans of black enamel from the hardware
store, but am not happy with the results- streaks, drips, runs,
roughness etc. when they dry. (They look good when the  paint is wet).
I've sanded and/or steel-wooled between coats.

Is there a specific brand of paint I should be using?  Power sprayer?
primer? brush?  The piano is not worth the effort of replacing the
sharps, but maybe it would be good experience...hmm

Any thoughs on the subject would be appreciated.

Gratefully,

Phil Ryan
Assoc. PTG