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The paint guns and paint almost don't matter, they are that insignificant compared to the importance of the prep work on getting the surface actually perfect in every aspect...

I'd take a Krylon-painted finish over a perfect bodywork job every single time, over a high-dollar paint job over a novice bodywork job. Every time.

I would recruit a friend who is in the autobody business to show you some tips. I even personally took a college course at a trade school for autobody professionals!

There's a definite FEEL that has to be developed - it's not something you can really see (although learning guide-coat techniques can definitely help you out there, even on compound curve surfaces).

Essentially, it's just like everyone says - sand sand sand... start out with a heavier grit sandpaper- maybe an 80 grit and skim-coats of autobody filler (not a thick build anywhere, or it can crack over time!). Here's the most fundamental part of the "feel" - it has to end up being the perfect finished shape at this point, simply with the sanding scratches in it from the heavier grit paper. If it's a flat surface - perfectly flat. If it's a curved surface - the correct perfect curve.

Then, you have to follow that up with 120 grit... 240 grit... 400 grit... 600 grit... 800 grit... 1000 grit... 1200 grit... that's probably far enough (actually 800 grit might be far enough depending on how picky you are and what primer you use ) - and at each step, making sure to sand consistently, and not disturb that perfect flatness or perfect curvature - checking with a guidecoat and by feel constantly.

Then, prime and paint - I like to prime with a filler/primer and then follow that up with a sanding.

Or - you can take an easier way out (like me whenver I can, since I hate to sand). You could use a textured finish instead, and then only have to sand maybe down to an 80 grit finish with an orbital sander. The textured paint is thick and hides (and even works with) all those imperfections and sanding scratches.

Just a thought. Or, carpet.
Just don't think you can get away with much less sanding with vinyl - vinyl transposes nearly all the imperfections you get with paint! If you can see it in the 'glass, you'll see it in the vinyl.

I just don't want to see you underestimate the work here...

actually the best way to do it and get great advice is to got to an autobody supply store and take to the guys they will show you what stuff to use where and how to use it. it can get pretty expensive depending on what you buy.

i coated with 2 coats of heavy primer then sanded... then primer again for one coat then the coat of color i wantted. Sanded between the first coat and second and then did 3 coats of clear... it came out nice at least i think so

coat with body filler
block sand
spray with automotive paint and clear.

bondo the imperfections! go get some "dyna-tron puttycote" that will work on fiberglass. Then prime it and sand it. If there are still imperfections, bondo some more. Then prime it and sand it. If there are still imperfections, bondo some more. You getting the picture? After that paint it! then sand it and paint it some more!! Once you get into the finish color, you should be using a much finer sand paper. After all you should have had it smooth as hell after all that bondo and primer!! :)

Well if you want a good deep finish I would recomend doing several light coats and wet sanding in between coats. It's a little more work than just laying a couple of heavier coats but if done correctly it will lay out a deeper finish. I can't really tell you too much I just know what little I picked up from my dad and he is known to be the best body man in town and has been doing it for about 40 years.

I could build a little plywood box or something to paint the stuff in and do it on a non-windy day. I just to know how to actually go about doing it.
So would you primer, paint, and then clear coat? How many coats of each? And are there specific types of paint for this application?

Ive got 3 paint guns... got em for free! The only thing is, paint guns do you no good if u don't have a well controlled environment, I had to paint out in a barn and when i put a coat of clear on a damn fly dived on it and settled in to it, that wasn't fun to have fixed but after about 3 more coats of clear you couldnt tell it was ever there...

All I can say is, Get some latex gloves, and sand, sand, Sand, SAND!!!! Get that smooth as a baby's ass then sand one more time. Then primer, and wetsand, then paint.

I could be wrong though. :)

It'll probably be a sub enclosure and an amp rack. I'm waiting to get some stuff paid of before I delve into building all the necessary stuff for fiberglassing/painting, but I have no problem with taking my time and doing a good job. I catch on quick and have pretty good patience. Will probably build/paint the stuff twice for the learning curve.
My dad has a 15g compressor, so if I need a paint gun, I can probably get one of those.
In general, I don't know much about paint, what types of paint to use, how to paint, how many coats of primer/paint, etc, etc. If there's anything I missed let me know.