Saving Old Seagulls

I recently purchased an old WS that was in relatively good condition for its age. However, one of the previous owners had (re)painted the cylinder head with some metal paint. This paint is now chipping off to reveal patches of rust underneath.

My initial thought was to break out a wire brush and apply some kind of a protective coating after the brush treatment, but then I figured I'd better ask from more knowledgeable people first. So my questions are:

1. Do you think it would be enough to brush off the old paint and rust, or should I proceed to remove the cylinder head (I know it's a big job) and look into e.g. sandblasting it?

2. What kind of substance, if any, would you recommend for treatment of the cylinder head after the paint and rust has been removed?

You can use hammerite as some do, you wouldn't need to pre treat the cylinder other than clean it back to the metal, I have never had to repaint one after using it, as yet.
You wouldn't need to remove the cylinder head just to paint it, unless you feel the need to do a clean out of the internal waterways.

Thanks for your advice, Keith.P! I'll pick up some Hammerite and start working on the machine in the morning.

I do mine in Hammerite smooth satin black.

2 weeks + before petrol resistant.

I thought The WS (silver century) had a silver coloured block?
My one's silver.