Instead of painting, i thought I'd give a try to wrapping the shift knob end.
See before-after pic.
I should have given it a primer coat of gray or an initial silver before wrapping (or just kept sanding all the paint off) as you can see the shadow between the black and silver. Still a huge improvement!
Before:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CWHsu4R0uCQYiXYs2
After:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xw5xg6y7J4xElWjN2
Not bad for $5.00 worth of vinyl wrap. I MAY do my side arm rests, as they are pretty scuffed up.