I use Southern Polyurethane Epoxy on all bare metal before any filler/bodywork. Seals it up and builds good as well so u can block it find low spots then do filler work then i like to prime again with it block again then urethane prime/block as normal.
http://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/Photos/epoxy%20primer.jpg
and heres a good tutorial on badass paintjob
http://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/perfect%20paint.htm