K member removal - engine in car

I'm in the process of rebuilding my front suspension while converting to big bolt pattern brakes. I've got the front end apart and I want to clean & paint the k member. It's pretty greasy on top & rusty (surface rust) underneath and I'm wondering which will be worse, laying under the car trying to remove the grease & prep for painting with POR 15 or pulling the k member while leaving the engine installed so I can send it out for cleaning and maybe powder coating.

Anybody removed an early a k member while leaving the engine in place?