Painting is as much work/money as you want it to be! But also one of those areas where you get what you pay for!
One of the problems with TS paints is that they seem to switch vendors too often - doesn't seem to be too much consistency in the quality of the paint. Also, it is a simple enamel that tends to fade pretty quick.
I usually use automotive quality paint, or slightly less expensive machinery and equipment paint. I use Nason, which is Dupont's economy brand. Sherwin Williams also sells reasonably priced auto paint that is much better quality than Tractor Supply...
With a garden tractor, you don't have a lot of surface to paint, so don't need a lot to get it done. Also, it is easier to spray the smaller surfaces and multiple planes/edges so your errors don't show up as much. HVLP guns (Harbor freight makes a few decent ones at a reasonable price) generate less overspray, so use less paint.
Definitely MORE money by the time you get epoxy primer, hardener, reducer, paint, etc - but will be a much harder, longer lasting paint job that is much deeper looking and bright. I tend to buy often used paints (Deere green and yellow, frame black, IH white, etc) by the gallon - its cheaper that way and I use it eventually. I just bought a gallon of ih yellow and it was $100+, but that will cover 3-4 tractors...
Safety is critical- ANYTIME you use an auto quality hardener, ventilation and respirator/filtration are critical, as well as body covering to prevent skin absorption. PAINT CAN KILL YOU!!!!!!!!
And as somebody already said, surface preparation is 90% of a good paint job...
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