Small parts rust removal?

[Coalmossian]

I'm currently cleaning up a few small parts for painting as I renovate my car, and I've been using Deox C quite a bit to remove the rust. Great stuff, especially if it's used hot, but for it to be effective it does require the item to be thoroughly degreased so that the aqueous solution can get into direct contact with the rust. I've found that using it hot and soaking overnight also has a tendency to remove a good portion of any remaining paint which is great as it leaves the metal ready for painting once given a light going over with a wire brush and a thorough dry.
As I was standing at the utility room sink watching the mess I was making as I wire-brushed some wee brake springs, and trying to ignore the pain in my fingertips as the wire bristles made contact yet again, I was aware that I couldn't shift the paint inside the beehive springs very easily, and there was no way I could properly clean inside the longer springs.
I had one of those "lightbulb moments", and wondered if anyone else had tried it? I thought about those rock tumblers that people use to polish stones and pebbles. Could be great for springs, brake adjusters, bolts etc if the items were put in the barrel with some shot blasting grit and leeft to tumble for a while. Could remove the grease, rust and paint in a oner.
My wife and I have just been to our local town (25 minute round trip) and I took a jamjar with some grit, and springs in it and shook and turned it all the time I was driving ( God knows what people thought if they noticed!). Shows promise.
Has anyone else tried or heard of this being done? Saves setting up the compressor and blast pot/cabinet for a few small bits which are hard to hold if it works!

[chickenjohn]

Save yourself money and buy citric acid from eBay , a fraction of the
Cost of the re-packaged stuff that Bilt Hamber sell.

Deox C is just citric acid in a labelled bottle!

[katy]

Electrolysis rust removal works well on both large and small objects and it' s also inexpensive.
Do a google search for info on it.
Another method for small parts is a molasses and water mixture. IIRC its about 8 parts water to 1 of molasses.

[Coalmossian]

Firstly, many thanks to you chickenjohn. I shall buy no more DeOx C until I have given citric acid a try. I have no doubt that they are one and the same thing, and I can get 5kg of citric acid with carriage for less than £20.00p on eBay.
Secondly, thanks very much to Katy. I have looked at a couple of wee posts on Youtube, and I've even dug out my battery charger so I'll give it a try tomorrow, assuming that I can find some washing soda. My wife assures me it's where everything else is that's disppeared from the universe..................under the sink in the utility room! It's a black hole!
I still think that there's some potential in the tumbling idea, but I did try it and there are one or two things to iron out! Let's just say that the results were a little less than I had hoped!!!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Ive also heard of dipping parts in diluted Molasses and leaving them in there for a while - havent tried it myself yet. Theres a couple of wings on Steveys car that it may get tested on.....

Heres a link on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-gBAjEga1s

[chesney]

I know a chap who swears by white vinegar.After the missus has finished washing up with it, collect the vinegar, and leave the parts in there for a few nights. Haven't tried it myself, could be worth looking into.