A proper cleaning should probably be done outdoors, where the stripped paint can be contained in a disposable plastic dropcloth.
After you have restored it, what you put in it will depend on what you want to take out of it, and what you want to do with what you take out of it. For instance, photographs or records.
Picture opening it and removing something and then ... what?
It is outdoors as we speak because I don’t have room for it in here and besides...it is Army Green...I have Federal Blue and Dusty Rose with black and cream accents.
Is there a paint remover that can be used on metal? I’m only familiar with the wood stripper. Because of the spring-loaded handles, I need something that can be used on the springs and the latches, as well. And of course, the paint I use to refinish it will depend on what’s available for a metal surface, and how much preparation is involved.