Miscellaneos paint and body questions

Well, I'm not to it yet, but I'm trying to plan a budget and a timeline for this el camino to be finished.

Here's the first question I have on my timeline because paint and body come next: What is the easiest way to strip old paint off down to the bare metal? Once it is at bare metal, what is the best way to prep it for primer? Once it is prepped, can primer be shot anywhere or is it just like paint and should be shot in a booth?

I'm going to pay someone to shoot the color and clear, but I'm trying to do as much of the other as I can myself. Also, does anyone know a place that I can acquire a good driver front fender panel for a 1972 el camino? I've heard that the aftermarket versions that year one and other companies sell is really thin and doesn't hang very well.