What's the proper way to do this that will ensure the paint will stick to it and be durable, and what type paint would work best? Most of the black paint on mine has worn off over the years and it looks like crap. I plan on putting a new leather-wrapped shift **** on it soon but not before getting the shifter repainted.

 

Austin,
Hey I just did that to mine. I painted mine inside the car to save time. Just make sure you tape everything off real well if you go that route. Just sand the shifter down to a rough tex. or to the bare metal which ever you choose. Then wipe it with some thinner to get all the paint off. Now I use some primer first then some black (or what ever color you want) clear coat base paint.
I got them from Walmart out of the auto sec.
and then there you go. It should stick like a champ.

 

Oh hey I don't know if you looked at my topic
lately about my interior. But I painted my shifter sliver to match my steering wheel, and also my hand brake too. I got the pics under the same topic. I just put them up a couple of days ago. Check it out.