That don't make sense at all and i don't think steve earle would put a line in a song that didn't make sense. Maybe i heard it wrong but i thought he said "shot a coat of primer then he let things slide".You know, just primed over the sheriff logo and let it be. You wouldn't waste much time on cosmetics on a moonshine runners car. I've seen quite a few old police cars that way. Perhaps the lyrics on the album are wrong? Wouldn't be the first time by far. I also thought it was "headed down to knoxville with the weekend load." Maybe this is on the misheard lyrics website. I play the rythym in open G on a dobro capoed up to the fifth fret with a friend playing kind of lead on acoustic guitar. Try it with a pick, the harmonics ring like a bell. We were pretty proud of our version until i heard steve earle and another guy on NPR one day playing it exactly the same way. Like to fell out of my chair. Here i will place the obligatory computer terminology for an expression of great amusement and surprise, "LOL". Steve Earle has a dobro too i discovered.