Don't use paint stripper or you will have a royal mess trying to get it all off. Any residue left behind will ruin attempts to paint it.
I've had excellent results sealing all openings and (glass) bead blasting them lightly. Then blow it really clean and spray a coat of black epoxy primer on it. When the epoxy has dried, apply the black color coat within the re-coat window. Usually you have between an hour and a couple of days minimum.