Truck will be bare metal and then put in ********** epoxy. For the underside of the bed and cab I was planning the same epoxy primer then shoot a single stage black so the underside looks nice and painted.

What do you guys think? If single stage black is good should I add anything to it to make it more durable or is there a type or brand I should shoot?

I think I’ve mostly talked myself out of any form of undercoat as I really like the painted look and it will be a nice truck. Maybe the wheel wells?

Any thoughts on products I should consider?

Single stage if fine. I would go with a good quality paint . If you’re doing all that work don’t skimp now on the paint . I know it’s the underside of the truck. That part takes a lot of abuse.

1. Use a black or very dark grey epoxy.
2. Practice applying your epoxy so you can get it smooth enough to paint over without having to sand it all down.
3. Use a high quality 2K Direct Gloss paint. Not more than 2 light to medium coats. Overly thick paint will chip and damage much more than paint that has been applied thinner.

NFTM - what brand do you recommend for the 2K paint (assume this is single stage)?

Yes, the rest of the world calls it 2K Direct Gloss.

My system is Axalta Cromax so I only use the paints that are available in that system, with only occasional forays into specific things that are not available in Cromax but are in other Axalta brand lines. In a case like yours I'd use the Cromax 510 which is a really lovely 2K that goes on super smooth and wears exceptionally well.

I've also used the PPG 2K and some Glasurit equivalents. All top shelf stuff but more than 20 years in the shop proved to me that cheaping out on paint was a false economy. Better to pay more, use less and have no problems.

So, usually my recommendation would be to stick with known brands. Depends what distributors you have in your area. Talk to a few and see what they have to offer.