[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I would use pure phosphoric acid to dissolve the iron oxide. Don’t use those “rust converters” because they have an added polymer that builds up and acts as a coating. Once you get the steel good and clean you can use wax or oil to coat the steel and prevent further rust.

I assume you want to be very sure that you then neutralize any acid with a base (baking soda) and then thoroughly rinse any remnants of the acid and/or base away, and then get rid of the water (so it doesn't create more/new rust).

There's also "evaporust" which is a product that gets a lot of press these days for various things.

I'd be concerned with most caustic chemical solutions (acid, base). I believe that using an acid will potentially cause new damage (in addition to what was caused by the rust).