you actually dont need to strip the clear or the paint you just have to wetsand it smooth with some 500 and then finish it with 1500. and this is coming from an autobody person. make sure you keep wetting the sandpaper, cause if you let it dry and you keep sanding you will start to gouge the paint, keeping it wet keeps it smooth making a smoother cut into the paint. you can either use a water hose with a spray nozzle on low, or you can fill up a spray bottle with water and keep shooting the water under the sandpaper while you're sanding.