PineRidge,
I forgot to answer your question regarding preparation prior to painting. I don't have any pictures of me sandblasting it, but I do have some pics of me sandblasting a gate entry I built for a friend. I'll get around to posting that project some day.
The sandblaster is a Schmidt driven by an Ingersol-Rand rotary screw compressor that delivers 100CFM at 100PSI. I use a Bullard air fed helmet and matching filter to provide grade D breathable air.