Sounds good, I'm looking forward to seeing some items freshly painted in the genuine colour. Yes you are correct that many places just don't have the personnel with the expertise to colour match nowadays.

When you say sandblasting I hope you don't end up with a really rough (coarse) finish on the metal. Bead blasting is probably the best or a very fine grade grit if standard style blasting.

Honestly a good etch primer is the best way to go.

Cheers,
BB.

I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.