that orange paint might actually improve its weather resistance

Have you ever seen one in person? I have, and at the wrong angle, that shiny stainless steel reflects the sun just about as much as a mirror does, blinding other drivers and pedestrians at certain angles.

So if anything, a paint job of any sort, vandalism or not, only serves to make them ever so slightly safer…

Quite a few in my area. Just the other day I saw one with a matte wrap and gold accents on the sharp edges.