Harry,
My bad. I should have explained myself a little better.
I use Rustoleum automotive gray primer in a rattle can. It goes on great and you don't have to be too picky with the primer since it will be covered up anyway.
DO NOT use the red looking Rustoleum rusty metal primer in a can. It sucks!
Now for the paint.
I am hooked on the Case/IH Irongard in a quart can.
As I mentioned, you can get by with a "tack coat" and one cover coat, but I prefer more coats for that shiny deep look.
I do not like rattle cans for the paint.
Why? I am glad you asked.
You never know when the can will spit out a gob of paint, or better yet, quit spraying all together.
That is not what you want to happen when you are painting something very critical like the hood!
Harry,
Surely you have a small compressor.
Get you a small finish spray gun and some Irongard. You will love it!