I have been googling and youtubing this evening. Lots of different ways of stripping and painting and interesting color choices too. I have most of the parts I feel comfortable with taking off off. I put them in baggies and labeled them.
I'm ok with not reapplying the decals. I think the face plate and the one in the back along with the stainless part on the hand wheel are pretty enough. It's an interesting machine. That little bobbin thingy that isn't a bobbin thing kinda threw me for a loop so I'm going to research that too.
I asked my husband if he thought it was aluminum so he put a magnet on it. You are right, cast iron.
I wonder if he can put it in his electrolysis to remove all the gunk and paint? hmmm, idea!