If I want to strip my car to the metal..... what do you recommend?

I agree, if the old finish isnt cracked or crazed use it as a base for a repaint. If its already been repainted once sand it back to original finish, or sand it back to metal. I have no choice but to sand mine to bare metal, as its got surface rust on top, and peeling paint on the sides. Was original finish no repaint.