I better answer this before Q tells you about my "willow twig" ...lol

cleaning and painting it ,it depends ....are you painting it in place or out of car?
I painted mine in place....was just rebuilt 8K miles before and former owner had a liking to bright yellow!
Cleaned it thourolly w laquer thinner , brushed it w a very small long brush....took about 3 hrs on top, later did underside , when I got hold of a lift , add 2 more hrs for underside...and there are still places you wont be able to cover ( like at juncture of starter and engine, inside pulleys...) , but if same engine color , no problem (but yellow will show up! )
I used 1/2 of a quart can...
if you have engine out , just buy the spray....
not sure what others recommend for cleaner.....