A very good method for removing rust is electrolysis. Immerse the part in a solution of washing soda (not baking soda) and connect to a battery charger - the other terminal is attached to a chunk of scrap iron/steel. The rust disappears.
CAUTION: this will remove all oxide including blueing so use it only on non-blued parts unless you want a naked barrel.
It is very fast and effective - I have used it on iron and steel machine parts.
Edit: I forgot to mention that the NEGATIVE lead goes to the piece you want to clean and the POSITIVE to the sacrificial iron.
Last edited by Gnomon; 02/17/12 10:23 AM.
