We didn't personally paint the machine, but my husband prepped it. He stripped all the old paint off (did not remove the mechanical parts inside-it is a featherweight). He did remove everything on the outside-faceplate, slide plate, thread guides-basically everything that could come off!
He covered all openings with paper or tape-depending on what needed to be covered. After stripping he sanded, filled places that needed it (with auto body filler), sanded some more!
Our friend who painted it primed it and painted with auto paint. It didn't need to re-timed because we didn't remove the hook or the needle bar. For not knowing what we were doing, it turned out pretty well. I have posted pictures of it in the past on the Featherweight Club thread. Here is another one.
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Pat