Can't keep my mouth shut tonight, dang it.
For real surface rust, no pitting, I'll clean it off with 0000 steel wool and then a quick rub with Oxpho and that 0000 stuff. You don't even need oil-free steel wool. The purpose is to restore any little bit of blue color I rubbed off. Only a light shade difference if that. Then let it sit overnight, Oxpho likes to sit overnight. Then a rub with 0000 over the area lightly just to blend. Guess I don't have a discerning eye, I can't find the spot again. BUT we're talking just a little surface rust here.
Oxpho has the property of converting any microscopic red rust - can't get it all - into iron phosphate (it's black) which cuts subsequent rusting tendencies. Those microscopic particles of red rust pick up water from the atmosphere which can accelerate rusting.
But I claim no oracle status on this, not even close.
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Oh yeah, bronze wool. Tried it and liked the finer steel wool better (I use it with a light touch). Not to knock bronze wool, I think it comes down to technique which is an individual matter.
This.........
I made some pretty cheap pawn shop finds look almost new....
