This is the crap im gonna be removing:
So what are my options here?
Obviously, sanding it down myself would be one (extremely time consuming and painful) way. I made a start on it just to see what I would be getting myself into, and after about 15 minutes wet sanding the same spot with 600grit (after spraying with oven cleaner and letting it sit for 30mins) I got this result:
It removed all the rust, however it took all the anodizing off and left the area VERY smooth.. I'm not sure if smooth would be good for rattle-can paint to stick to? Sandblasting leaves metal quite coarse, for better powdercoat adhesion, however powdercoating and rattlecan painting may be different.
So, these are the main questions I have:
1) Will the engine paint stick to the smooth and slippery surface? or should I go over it again with a sandpaper that is more coarse, say 300grit?
2) Is it possible to get an engine sandblasted? I don't want to hand it to some idiot who's gonna get shit down the intakes.
3) Are there professionals who would be able to do this sort of paintjob for me?
4) Red or Black? I've made a poll. I'm thinking black, but red would be pretty unique.

So what are my options here?
Obviously, sanding it down myself would be one (extremely time consuming and painful) way. I made a start on it just to see what I would be getting myself into, and after about 15 minutes wet sanding the same spot with 600grit (after spraying with oven cleaner and letting it sit for 30mins) I got this result:

It removed all the rust, however it took all the anodizing off and left the area VERY smooth.. I'm not sure if smooth would be good for rattle-can paint to stick to? Sandblasting leaves metal quite coarse, for better powdercoat adhesion, however powdercoating and rattlecan painting may be different.
So, these are the main questions I have:
1) Will the engine paint stick to the smooth and slippery surface? or should I go over it again with a sandpaper that is more coarse, say 300grit?
2) Is it possible to get an engine sandblasted? I don't want to hand it to some idiot who's gonna get shit down the intakes.
3) Are there professionals who would be able to do this sort of paintjob for me?
4) Red or Black? I've made a poll. I'm thinking black, but red would be pretty unique.