locomotive repaint process.....sharing my procedure PART 1

there has been a couple threads on repaints going on, and I'm in the middle of repainting an entire fleet of semi-scale locos for my NYC water level route, so I thought Id share my process. It is my hope that this may help someone attempting their own repaint.....I will break this down into two posts. The humidity is way too high to actually paint today, but I thought I would share the prep process for the first segment.....our subject piece will be this railking pacific (former B&O)...

because this piece was so greasy and dirty step one was to dismantle and prep for cleaning..using a small punch,I  knock out small details I don't want painted..using purple power degreaser, all the parts are thoroughly cleaned..the bodies are scrubbed in a pan with dawn dish detergent. the pieces are scuffed with 600 grit sanding disc and grey scotchbrite available at auto parts retailers...I scuff in one direction only, keeping my scuff scratches uniform and tight...I left the dust on the tender shell in the pic so you can better see the scuff marks...The next segment I will begin prepping the chassis to show you that process....