Thanks everyone! Mad props to Posies Rod and Custom, my local hotrod shop. The paint guy spent 45 minutes with me explaining everything I need to do from metal to clear coat free of charge. I was allowed to take pictures of the products they use and showed me in-process cars in the shop. We talked metallics and tri-coats (strongly advising aganst tri-coats for beginner painters). I couldn't believe how nice they were!
In short, the steps they use are:
1. sand 180 on bare metal then wax and grease remover
2. Cover welded areas with duraglass 24030 short strand
3. Sand 35/40 grit to cut it down. Having scuffs and low spots is ok as it'll be covered with filler
4. Cover full panel with Evercoat Rage
5. Guide coat
6. Sand with 120-180, stop if you hit bare metal
7. Fix pin holes and low spots with more filler, guide coat, sand until flat
8. Two coats feather-fill G2. Don't let it set in your gun or throw gun away.
9. guide coat
10. Sand with 220
At this point I'm told the primer should lay on perfectly flat if everything was done right.
11. Primer/sealer 2 coats
12. Guide coat
13. Wet sand 320 grit
Lots of examples online of the same process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgcJ3oPaYQ8
Search "Bad Chad" who has a great way of explaining the process of "flooding" panels