Thanks for the input guys.
I was spraying with a 1.4 tip, which falls exactly in the middle of the suggested range. I wouldn't argue the finer tip would be easier. A much more experienced friend came over and hit the last couple panels for me last night. He ended up doing 3 very light coats to even out and compensate for the cheap paint gun. Those panels are as good as you could ask for a flat/satin job that was: sprayed in a barn, with a cheap gun/regulator, in what was effectively the dark (not near enough light).
I will drive it as is, and maybe next year spray it again with a gloss black or something that I can wetsand/polish my mistakes out of. I've gotten enough practice wetsanding now to be good at it
. I think I could spray something gloss that would look good enough for me now.
Thanks again.