Summit paint

What about pearl? Is that like metallic?

Yes it is actually a tri-stage paint.
True pearl you do the following:
Shoot a flat base coat.
Shoot the Pearl.
Then clear coat.

Metallics are easier to shoot in base/clear because it flashes quick.
On single stage you can have a build up of metallic's, and actually have a metallic sag, but no run in the paint. Or tiger striping.

If this is your first paint job, stick with the base clear on the metallics, it is just easier to work with.
Downfall is you have to shoot twice as much paint.