How far should I go with paint prep?

[Peanut74]

Glad you decided to do it yourself and do some more learning. For cheap spray guns I got a set from Harbor Freight. It had a large spray gun and a smaller touch up gun. You will need the touch up gun when you sand out the runs in the primer while you are in your learning phase. I also watched a lot of youtube videos the one I learned the most from was DIY Autobody School made by a ex-navy guy. I am personally still working on how to lay the finish coat without sags or runs. As stated the lighter colors are much more forgiving and part of the reason I am painting my truck a mint green.