Minor update.
All the parts have now been blasted and painted. Since I couldn't get the ABS sensors out I had to protect them during blasting, when I got them back the magnets in the sensor meant that area of the arm was covered in metal filings that I presume had been used as the blast medium.
I went for an etch primer followed by two coats of Bilt Hamber epoxy mastic (
https://bilthamber.com/product/epoxy-mastic/) and then a clearcoat on top for UV protection (not that there will be much UV under there but it made it shiny). I've got some cavity wax to go in the hollow sections when the time comes. The painting isn't perfect as there are a few small runs but I'm happy the metal is well protected now. I don't want to have to look at this again for the rest of my ownership.
Since I'm in no rush to get the car back together the parts are sitting on the floor so the paint can really harden off before assembly. I do have a few parts to order now, springs, shocks, suspension arm bearings, flexible brake hoses and I might do the hub bearings while I'm at it. I shall need to recharge the coffers a bit before that order goes in though.
Talking of the hub bearings I needed to put the handle of my socket wrench into a six foot weightlifting bar (it was a perfect fit) in order to get enough torque to remove the nuts, you can see a picture of it propped up against the filing cabinet. I've got my local mechanic lined up to help me torque them back up correctly.
So far so good, fingers crossed for the next phase.