Well described Dan - I have several of them and they work well. I also have those bbb adapters and find the stiff hose does pull free from time to time.
Great timing - yesterday I just picked up a Kinesis Decade Virsis so I am looking for some ideas. It is currently rigid and I am currently considering going half fat as I don’t have any suitable forks.
I came across this advert on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224510707061?hash=item3445e18575:g:JEAAAOSwGtJg1jAY
Does it look like the forks have had a smack?
They have powder coated 3 bikes for me but I have never tried their painting service. Have you asked Andy at Eastside bikes for a quote? You can see some of his work in the shop and it looks very good.