As the topic heading what are your thoughts?
I'm leaning to powder coating

I was once plant engineer in a large powder coating shop at Dexion.

Either is fine for use inside the car. Outside, I'd prefer paint, as powdercoat often has problems with UV resistance, and poorer adhesion if impacted with anything (gravel etc).

[edit] I'm basing my comments above on Dexion's steel pallet racking. This was all phosphate treated before coating, and the finished product looks great, indoors. Good wrap on the edges (a feature of the powder process).
If stored outside for years though, moisture gets under it and lifts the paint. Perhaps if it had been blasted, adhesion would be better.
Finish is hi-gloss but it fades bad in sunlight.

@bubbaclubby, you should see my nice red `White' brand toolbox, it's indoors but the sun has shone through the window onto one end of it for some years. Gloss there is all gone... it's flat as.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I had my sling seatframes in my moke blasted and powdercoated in metallic grey and they turned out awesome. Cost me a lot but happy with the very smooth, tuff and thick looking finish.

I would powdercoat again rather than paint

regarding the UV resistance Doc. Most powdercoating is done for outdoor purposes Ie trailers, ute trays etc. So I would have thought UV resistant properties were good.

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I think some colours react differently with uv. Colourbond also had an issue with some of the greens and would go pale.

With house type paint they often have colours that are only suited for "interior use only" as the pigment wont last in uv.

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1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

thanks guys.
As there will only be a small amount of frame showing from the seat covers.
I don't think UV will be a factor.
the only worry I had was chipping when lifting and lowering the seat

We always used powdercoat for our outdoor vehicles - UTV's, Dune buggies, etc strictly because of the toughness of it. I'd beat the crap out of my old dirtbike which I had the swingarm powdercoated, and it held up for ages (18 months?) against rocks and debris. Also, the wheels we'd have powdercoated for the dunebuggies would put up with sand for months and months, and it almost seemed to polish the powder coating as opposed to dulling it.

If chipping is your main concern, I'd definitely say it will be much stronger than any paint.

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1998 Rover Mk VII
2001 Honda CBR 929RR (street)
2014 BMW S1000RR (track)

sounds like it stands up to some punishment