I wouldn't use an epoxy, to much work sanding it down. Try a high build auto primer. A couple of coats of that, you'll see easily what needs to be worked on, and it sands and polishes easily.

If you want to color epoxy www.cstsales.com has pigments you can add to the epoxies, ussually West Systems. I've also seen an article of using a little spray paint mixed in with the epoxy. Never tried that one though....

I'd definatly go with the primer though, you'll say TONS of elbow grease, it dries in minutes. You could also use a 2 part epoxy primer like KlassKote sells. Very tough stuff. I have found with KlassKote though it wet sands better than dry sands.

Jeff