Painting a Guitar

Hmm. I have a Squier '51 and it's my only guitar. It's a sunburst, and it's pretty disgusting looking, the more I see it.

I think it'd be real pretty if I painted an Olympic white color.

Problem is...how? Obviously you have to take off everything, but I've heard you have to get rid of the current coating on the guitar. But is that really necessary? Also, how long would it take for me to finish? Probably two-four days for the layers of paint, and another two-four for the coating layers to dry?

And is it really that complicated? I don't wanna completely ruin my guitar, but at the same time, I'd like to customize it a bit.

Let me know.

Thanks, Kevin.