I've painted a handful of cars in the past but they've all been complete jobs starting from scratch (bare metal surface/body filler). I have a late model truck that the factory clear coat is starting to deteriorate and will be a simple same-color repaint with probably no body work.

My plan is to sand the clear off down to the base/primer. Can anyone point me in the right direction with some tips? Since I'm sure it's gonna be a mottled pattern of primer and base after the initial sanding I'm thinking of starting with either a sealer or primer surfacer. Is that necessary? If I wind up applying some filler it seems logical I would need to.

I won't have to paint the bed inside but I assume I should slide the bed back to get proper coverage between the cab and bed. It's a metallic too, which will be my first. Gonna have to practice.

I would just sand it all off. with a peeler you really need to get the base off so by the time you do that 1/2 the primer will be gone. just take it all off use a 8 in. sander with a soft foam pad and 80 grit it go's fast. you can ether do epoxy then the next day spray it with hi build or etch prime let flash then hi build.
Jay D.

i chemical strip, but i believe Jay has you pointed in a better direction.

nothing wrong with chemical stripping. I use paint stripper a lot, when you get a system worked out it's easy to work with. actually easier than sanding and no dust. only down side is cost and it might be closer than we think.
Jay D.

yeah Jay i agree but i think my advice for 69er would be like you said due to the risk of hot spots or getting someplace you dont want the chemical

Yes, you need to think about what your doing and have a plan. you can't just start slopping it on you'll likely have a mess.
Jay D.

Yeah, I'm gonna stay away from chemical stripping. If it was a bare body shell, yes.

I've been looking a YouTube videos on metallic painting and I think I have it down as far procedures: To avoid mottling keep the coats somewhat light and consistent, at least 50% overlaps, and doing a control coat.

Anything else? (Besides lots of practice?)

you didn't say or maybe I didn't see but you are using B/C ? if you are don't get it to wet and you'll be fine. quality base coat helps here.
Jay D.

Yes, BC/CC.

It wont' be as bad as you think with the metallic....I came to this forum 13 years ago so I could get over my fears of shooting metallic. Geez, within a year of getting on here I was doing kandies, marbleizing, faux finishing, ghost flames, ripped metal, etc. Jay is right on the money about not wetting out the metallic. And quality of the base coat really can makes things a lot easier for the shoot.