[Aussie Mike]

Sand blasting is the way to go. You can pick up some blasting cabinets quite cheap these days.

I've got the old setup with a drum of sand and a blasting gun with a syphon hose on it. I do all my blasting out on the paved back yard area then sweep the sand into the cracks in the pavers. You can buy dried filtered sand in 25KG bags and in different grits. Wear a face shield and good dust mask or respirator as it's not nice.

I wouldn't powder coat as it chips easily when hit by stones etc. I agree with Phil, that POR15 is the stuff to use. It seems to make a good bond with the surface and is very hard wearing.

I originally sprayed my suspension components in hammerite Hammered metal finish and it seems to be hard wearing. I added a bit of enamel hardener to it as well. I'll probably repaint everything with POR15 when I pull the body off for painting.

Cheers