Ok here's some ways to clean / remove rust.
1. Check out this forum to help you make your decision:
Cleaning & Preservation
2. Use electrolysis - this seems to me to be the fastest but I haven't tried it.
Rust Removal By Electrolysis - VintageMachinery.org Knowledge Base (Wiki)
3. I was recently told by someone to just soak in motor oil for 6 months. Seems the easiest but longest. Again I haven't tried it and I didn't see anything that had gone through that process.
4. Use a product called Evapo-rust. My son-in-law used to work on motorcycles. He swears by this. Soak for a couple hours, rinse with denatured alcohol, coat with machine (motor oil). I have not done this but I am going to try it.
5. Use vinegar and salt.
Salt and Vinegar: Nature's Rust Remover - FineWoodworking
I did this method. Learn from my mistakes and success.
I put everything I had in the tub together - mistake. I had an old hub cap that turned pink and became more fragile than it was to begin with.
Surprise- I have a copper lightening rod that was green and brown. Now it is shiny and new looking.
Semi success- horseshoes and other iron pieces came out great. Had a couple mortise locks that were heavily corroded. A lot of the rust came off, but they needed to soak longer. My soaking time was six days only because I didn't have free time to deal with it. Your supposed to keep checking it.
Huge failure - I didn't have machine oil or motor oil. Everything got flash rust!
This was a lot of work and I don't have a place to work. I was using tubs in the backyard. So I am going to split things up. Some in the #3 & #4.
I hope this helps!
