Inspiration for school desk restore

Submitted to Community Chat

Remember sitting in just this type of school desk in 2nd grade.  I was 7 years old.  Now want to restore one for my grandson.  Don't want to remove the wood from the desk, figure lots of sanding and taping .  Then want to remove all the paint somehow from the metal parts.  Or to somehow make a surface that will be able to withstand years of  use from multi grandkids sitting and using while playing at the grandparents house.  This desk has withstood how many kids over its  approx 60 years.   I think after some paint it will tolerate a few more little ones sitting on it.   Just need to do it the right way the first time.    Suggestions?