John
...only 27 pieces? I suspect it isn't a full fendered "roaster" in CA. Try an 'A' full fendered roadster with running board splash shields and a 4 piece hood if you want frustration.

But enough of my whine. I too don't use PPG but SPI surface prep materials with DuPont color and SPI Universal clear. But that's a personal preference though I did use one quart of DuPont clear on the splash shields, it didn't 'lay out' quite as nicely as the SPI, it still worked well.

Single stage just wont make you happy especially with the amount of work you have expended. A good base coat with a good clear will really make the paint pop whichever color or brand you use. As far as small brackets, usually they can be either left without cutting and buffing or done by hand. The national brands, they are all pretty good at this point.

Final sanding - 400 may still show some sanding scratches. I ended up doing my final on the SPI epoxy with 800 tho some pros (I'm an amateur) will stop at 320/400.

Price of paint - anything that has red - 10 to 50% more expensive pigments. Mine - 7 quarts(one left for aw s#@$'s) of Venetian Orange @~$160/quart as it has some pearl, then about the same amount of clear @~$50/qt. Then of course add activators and any reducers. The PPG will be even more in red/maroon.

What ever you do/use, keep in touch!!!