How to refinish the cooling unit of an Ideal 55?

[jtoenges]

What can you use to refinish the cooling unit of an Ideal 55?  Can you sandblast with walnut shells?  Can you use soda for the blasting medium?  Since the compressor is hooked up to the cooling coils will either mediums be better?  I sandblasted the base of the cooling unit after I unbolted the cooling unit.  Now I am tackling the cooling unit itself.  What needs to be covered up to prevent any contamination to the unit?  Any concerns of the cooling fins?  How about the electrical connection to the compressor?

Thanks,
Buck