Sand it some and use a paint brush...I always do better for things like that painting with a brush. Don't paint it shiny..use a matte paint.
Karen L

Maybe try some of the liquid sandpaper? I haven't used it, but hear it just brushes on and then the paint will stick.

I know you are probably frustrated as all get out and really don't want to do a lot of the work now involved in cleaning up a bad spary paint job. I learned the hard way when I screwed up a nice piece of furniture trying to make it fit my decor. Hubby took control and became the master instructor. I learned so well I will spray paint anything I want now. This is the hard part for you to fix the bad job. Sand it all over again use a fine grain sand paper (220 grit) Get a can of etching primer. Sray coat in light even strokes the entire thing and let it dry completely. Sand any runs you made by painting to fast or to much. Re spray in light even coat of primer again on the sanded spots. Let dry completely again.
Then with your colored paint high gloss, gloss, satin or flat doesn't matter You spray from top to bottom light even strokes to cover evenly the entire piece. Let dry completely. If it is still looking a bit ruff then sand very very light again and do a second coat of light even strokes. My DH taught me to spray paint like a pro. It is hard for me because it takes a great deal of patients to get coats without runs mottle spots and drippy edges. The secret is the light even coats and let dry between coats. Spray paint will stick to anything as long as it has something to grab. Thats why shiney surfaces wont hold paint, there is nothing for the paint to hold on to.

Good luck and have fun. A well done spray painted piece can look spectacular and expensive.

CT

Oil basedpaint will work better than latex.

If you don't want to sand ( a lot of work) what about decoupaging it? I've used wrapping paper and found just the look I wanted. then coated it with a shellac. You can just cut out what you want-you may even want to leave some of the painted areas free. I think if you use some old fashioned paper the painted parts will also give it a look of aged and it won't look bad if some of it chips or wears off.
Another idea is to antique it...keep the black pain and add a touch of silver or gold spray pain. When the wind is blowing outside just a little bit...you hold it with your back to the wind and lightly spray-I've done this millions of times and love the look.
Good Luck.

straycat, its funny that you say that because thats exactly what i ended up doing! i had some random cool paper hanging around so i just decoupaged it :)

and I just bet it looks GREAT!!!