Looking for advice. Want to build a Duster to run on a budget.

To each his own. It isn't necessarily an either/or situation. It isn't leave as is or spend a lot on a paint job. I painted my car with a satin enamel with hardener. You can do the same with gloss but if you think you may want to put a more expensive finish on, the satin with hardener easily wet sands . I used satin for the look I wanted but the car can be shot with gloss .