Originally Posted by
costumegirl
...Thanks so much for your help and experience
1. Brass wire brush. For rough parts/pieces I apply Brasso to the brush and use it that way.
NOTE: Brasso will remove any decals it come int contact with, so be cautious.
2. Steel is not porous in the usual sense of the word. Metal below the surface should actually be protected by the rust (until you remove it) If you look at my recent posts about the American Treadle, you can see some before and after. the metal under the rust was very clean. ALL of that was done with wire brush, brasso, and 0000 Steel wool
3. I have some parts that became very pitted from the rust, but when cleaned but they are still solid.