Originally Posted By: El Garro
A soft oily cloth should move most of it.
it's been said the rust and oil mixed is supposed to be more abrasive than the wire wool.


I'm not an expert but the issues is with rust itself.
Rust is actually a mixture of various iron compounds, some of whic are harder than steel on scales such as Mohs.
Rust can therefore scratch steel if rubbed around as an slurry.
It is known to wear steel cutting tools aggressively.
Better in general to remove it frequently however you're cleaning it.

Jeremy