Quote:

90% of a good paintjob is prep. Probably another 5% is making sure you don't mix product - stay with the same family (DuPont, PPG, etc.) from primer to clear. Anyone can figure out how to spray paint with a little practice.


What he said!
I mix product all the time but I have a lot of experience (some bad). Just sand the panels with 400 grit. clean with prep sol (brake cleaner will work).
You'll need mixing cups, sticks, strainers, and a soft sanding block.
Your primer is the heart of the job. Only 2 part poly urethane will do (primer + activator) anything else will lift at fuel bung. Mix, shoot,let dry. Sand with 1500 grit wet paper to remove orange peel.
Next shoot base coat, mix only with reducer 50% this will dry quickly. If you're going for flat black I recommend a satin or matte clear coat. The clear will protect your paint job and allow you to wet sand (1500 grit) and buff with stages of compound. Take your time, patience is a virtue (clear is easy to run).
Get a couple cans of carb cleaner to clean the gun in between materials. Any ?s PM me I'll give you my #. Not a bad idea to have someone who has done this come over and babysit. You feed him beer and do all the crap work. He'll show you how to adjust the gun and probably shoot the stuff but, most importantly, you'll learn.
Good Luck!

Strangler