what is normal for a paint job

Every paint and body person will have their own recipe for success.

I could see a full coat of epoxy over bare metal followed by 2 or more of high build primer/surfacer with block sanding between each. Base and 3 coats of clear - the idea being you'll cut and buff one of those coats off leaving 2 coats of clear. You do risk cracking with too much clear but just how much would be left after cut and buff with the first guy is unknown.