Well I finally got this done

. Thanks for all the tips posted- much appreciated.
I first scuffed it w/ a red pad. Wiped down with alcohol, let it dry and then sprayed two coats of the adhesive. Let it dry and then four coats of the Rustoleum. The first coat looked like $hit, second coat as well. Third coat started looking better, the fourth coat finally what I was hoping for!
24 hours between coats, figured I'd let each coat dry thoroughly.
Then hit it with two coats of clear, again 24 hour between coats.
I'm not sure how this textured stuff will hold up; if it doesn't I'll try a more traditional paint, but right now it looks (and feels) pretty good