So having said all of that, if you take a company like this who adds another hand in the cookie jar that's already too small, I see no scenario where it works out for you.

The painter has added items such as graco pump armor and gracO spray tips (for his paint gun).

The sprayed handle is detached from the hose - I want to deduct it from the security deposit, but how do I know this is not considered normal wear and tear ?

As a property manager and treated them several times I would highly recommend heat treatment over spray because it will definitely work.

She is just sharing what she read people have had success with.I could see a case where an insurance company would look at this as vandalism, just like if somebody came into your house and spray painted all of the walls.

We used an epoxy spray just on that patch after but not sure how expensive that is.  

Even though there isn't anything jarring to my business on the docket per say, I want to show the HOA I'm making an effort to partake as a sign of good faith.

I bet you can buy a quality spray paint that would last many years and get the same effect. thats what I would do if i were you, try cleaning and spray painting it black

Then switched to a management company; Jar of Clay.

Go down to the grocery store and buy a jar of creamy Skippy.