You need to measure, take photos, notes, and more measurements before picking up a wrench and removing old top. That thing has to go back just the way it was, or you may have a binding lopsided mess on reassembly.
What you can do is cover cockpit, hood, and trunk with plastic, then clean degrease, sand prim, and paint with satin black while top irons stay in place. I have done this several times, it is a lot easier, and the only measurements you need to make is the distance between where the top connects to trunk, and last top iron that the curtain is stapled to, and the distance between the rest of the top irons in order to correctly install padding, and the very critical rear curtain placement.
Check the web for install tips before removing old top:
