Dang, just read the whole thread. You're painter is a true professional. When you can see the reflection of the individual tubes in the lights without them being fuzzy, there is VERY,VERY little orange peel in the paint and clear. Better than some pro jobs I've seen AFTER cut and buff !!!
Now that they have practiced on yours, when can I bring mine down ?? 1967 ss/rs in the same Granada Gold. I'll take the same mix code you have, love the color and depth.
My car, also, came for the Bay area 16 years ago with the same rust holes in the rear window, except mine was neglected and took out the entire trunk pan. Maybe all that silicone actually did slow down the rust spread...
My left front fender had a "whiskey" (love that description) dent deep in the front edge too. I searched for quite a while to come up with an NOS rs fender and then drove 1800 miles rt to get it. Crazy what we do for our cars.
Good read and look forward to more progress.