Sand it first, it really helps. Then do a good amount of coats of your paint. Have time between the coats too, so that the previous coats are dry, or else itll all just build up and drip. I know you said you dont wanna clear coat, but it really helps. People think you put on one coat of clear coat and its fine, but you should put multiple coats of that on too.
When I painted my bars I always tried to even it out. I did 5 coats of paint, and 5 coats of clear coat.