Regardless of what paint you use, the key to getting a good paint job without runs, is the first coat. You want that to be the adhesion coat, not total coverage, but a light see thru coat that will give the next coat something to latch on to. Let the first coat get tacky (about ten minutes) then lay on a medium wet coat. That coat should give you complete coverage, but don't fret of you can still see thru in a few spots. Just give it enough time to tack up (usually ten-fifteen minutes) then give it another medium wet coat.
I would definitely practice on that junk yard hood a few times, both in a horizontal and vertical position.
Also there is no such thing as too much light when you’re painting, so get as many lights as you can, not just overhead, but also on the sides.
