Paint Question

[Baby John]

Anyone know anything about paint? I'm planning on buying my paint and taking it to my body shop with me. Keeps me from having such a large expense at one time. I figure we can save up a few hundred bucks and buy the paint, and then save up a few hundred more and drop it off for paint on the cab. Then assemble the interior, then save up a few hundred more and take the bed and other body parts...

Just don't know what to ask for when I go to the paint store.

We're painting a Stepside GMC, and we'll be going with two tone black and red. I want base coat clear coat. Truck's already been primed and sanded and is basically ready for paint.

How much should I get?

Are there any special types of paint I should ask for?

Specific shades of black?

Hardener?

All I know is I want it really shiny and I'm thinking the base coat clear coat process would be the shiniest, and might also be easier to buff out scratches and blemishes.