Hi Russel,
Perhaps a useful tip.
I also produce small part like you do on my lathe.
A few year ago I bought one of these mini sandblasting airbrushes, made myself a box to blast the parts in.
The parts that must painted, I always sandblast now.
I even use it on etched parts.
You don't have to worry that you blast away to much, it's just like sanding with a very fine sanding paper.
The advantage is that you get a nice even un greased part, that gives your first ground coat the best surface to hold on.
I find it a real improvement to get a perfect finishing surface.
Cheers,
Danny
