Lessee . . . building a hot rod is showcasing your skills is it not?

Primer or flat is ok, that indicates to most that you're headed toward a gloss paint job - even if you're not.

Back in the day there were cars with full primer. but it was accepted that real paint was on the way.

And yeah, I know I don't understand the fake rust look and all, but I do know that I'm not impressed by it.
If you don't care about the finish work, it makes me wonder if the other work is shoddy as well....