It was just a little project to while away the close season, ive got a few stainless sticks that i fancy spraying up rather than buying black, thanks for the replys and advice

You may think it's just a minor touch-up that doesn't need any primer, but it does. Without it, the paint won't last. Try to apply some gray primer. The painter and decorator I work with told me it's the best in business when it comes to dark colors. If you don't want to invest in a primer, you could try to double coat them, but it'll happen the same thing. Usually, paint doesn't last without a primer. The surface needs to be prepared first. The extra-thick and sticky layer before the black color will definitely increase its endurance. Let me know if I have helped you. Perhaps you can show us some pictures of your little project!

Why would you spray stainless.. for a proper finish you would want powder coat. Even with primer it will all flake in no time.

...Black shrink wrap from ebay ?...I did it on some old stainless turned out pretty well 🙂

I applied Hammerite to my stainless and it eventually chipped away.

As for shrink tube, it works as I have it on four sticks, but, when you try and push sticks into hard ground, the shrink tube can slip down the stainless steel and what is near the point of the stick gets cut up with stones. Plus, if you have matching stainless bars, you cannot add the shrink tube unless you are able to remove the fittings etc.