I used two coats of primer, 2 coats of each colored paint, and followed when thourghly dry with two coats of clear exterior sealer.
With the sealer, it doesn't matter which type of paint you use. I've made a lot of them so have always gotten my paints in the 'sample' size at paint stores, I think they are pints. If i were only going to make one I'd buy the colors in the small craft paints, other wise you'll have leftovers for the primer and sealer I used real paint brushes, but the smaller blocks I used the small foam brushes. and stored them in snack baggies until I was finished with them.