The cheapest quality paint I know of would be.
https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/pricingMany people use their epoxy and clear, and mix it with other makers bases, because SPI themselves only do very basic colors. But it you wanted to do just red, black, orange or white you could use their whole system.
SPI Brand is a good product,the epoxy primer is actually sandable in 12 hours and doesn't get gummy like some other lead free epoxies.I use it a lot on motorcycle frames and the under side of fenders.The clears are god as well,I use the production clear on smaller jobs.They have a nice Matte Black single stage urethane paint too,gloss or lack of is adjustable with actvator.
A great direct to metalprimer is House of Kolor's KD3000 series.It can be a high build primer with no reduction,a medium build with single reduction or a sealer under HOK paints by reducing it twice.Lays down level and sands great.
RT