Marq,
Thanks for the great info. Can you be more specific on the Brightside primer? I looked on the net and found some marine stuff by Interlux. Is that what you had in mind? The red rust primer from Rustoleum is quite heavy. I posted a picture of the passenger door that I did with that.

I want it to be as close to its original color so I am going with Rustoleum Hunter Green. That is the color that I have on the shell top. I completely stripped the hood and have one coat of rustoleum primer on it. I wet sanded it this afternoon and it is looking ok. I covered the bare spots with rattle can primer to protect it for the night. After reading your post, I think I will put another coat of primer on it tomorrow.

Thanks again.
john.