All I can say is anyone who complains about how expensive a quality paint job costs needs to try it themselves one time.
You certainly got that right! 2 of my closest friends have owned/operated a body shop for 40 years, and have done a LOT of very nice cars. I've learned a lot from them. Materials these days are just out-of-sight expensive, and you can wrap up several thousand dollars just in that, for a quality job. When I finished my Mustang, I swore I never wanted to see another piece of sandpaper again for the rest of my life! Of course that only holds until the next project
What really sucks is when you see 95% of that expensive primer and filler end up on the floor after it's all sanded off..lol But that's what it takes to get them really straight. Good luck on finishing yours. Sanding the clear topcoat, if that's what you're using, seems like it takes forEVER.