Best way to clean crusty parts

[hart11b]

My boys and I are doing the entire front end on our 1969 C20. We have it all taken apart, but the control arms I am reusing are extremely crusty. Lots of grease/dirt built up on them from 55 years of farm.

I’ve gotten rid of most of the big stuff with a brush and a hammer/chisel. I planned on soaking them for a few days in a degreaser concoction and then taking them to get blasted and then repaint.

Is there a better way to do it? If painting, just use a chassis black enamel after primer?