Hey PD , sounds like a great project .
You shouldnt have to re-move the finish from the guitar your going to paint , just sand it well ( taking all the shiny off ) then use a primer to seal off the old paint .
Then ( making sure your top coat paints are compatible with your primer .
Not all paints are compatible with each other , Lacquer will not go over an Enamel base product , but an Enamel will go over a lacquer base .
I have been an Automotive Re-finish Technician for 30 years and I may be of alot of help here
I would suggest using a Base Coat Clear Coat automotive paint system ( but very expensive I might add ) , and requires an Air brush and a compressor to apply it .
You could use the Model Car paints in spray cans , this would work also .
May I ask what your thinking of doing ?
Will it be some type of mural , or just a few different colored strips ?
I have painted just about everything that can be painted in my life time , no guitars yet , but rifle gun stocks , stoves, refrigerators , boats jet skis , and even a coffin , for a little girl that was murdered many years ago , as it came in damaged at the mortuary
and no one would touch it ( I fixed it and repainted it for free ) as no one wanted to do it .
You can also use India Inks from the art store and use a rapidograph pens to draw your design on and then clear it using a clear in a spray can to protect your design .
