Cleaning up rust on parts without a blaster... what do YOU use?

That is similar to what I use. But I use DEB Commercial Calcium/Lime/Rust remover. Basically it is CLR on steriods. You mix it 5 parts water to 1 to make regular CLR. If you use it neat it will remove rust on you parts virtually overnight. I've used it on engine brackets and pulleys etc. The only problem is you need to clean it and dry and prime it VERY quickly or it will oxidize very fast in a humid enviroment. On a safety note, it is MEAN SHIT! I got it in an open cut once and you know immediately! and you WILL be washing your hands in about two seconds! Use gloves and eyewear. As for disposal It eventually evaporates. I use it in old Corning glass cookware ( it's was no damn good as cookware so what the hell!) The nice thing is it cleans right to the bare metal and you don't get rust showing up through the paint later like wire wheeling will allow. Stu

 

If you use muriatic acid it will eat any zinc in or on the metal and will eat the steel if you leave it on long enough.
Always remember the fume is chlorine, so make sure you use a chlorine proof mask.
Sodium carbonate will neutralise the muriaticwith out a chlorine release.
If you neutralise it with either sodium bicarb or sodium carbonate keep adding it until it stops fizzing.
It can then be put into any sealable container and taken to any transfer station.
Muriatic is not a method I would choose.
I consider it too risky and too much trouble.
Blasters, Naval Jelly, reverse electrolysis, etc a better methods in my book.