got some rusted crank pulleys and others. what's the best way to clean the rust and prevent recurrence when i install them? anything better than just wire brushing them?

i like to use a wire wheel on a bench grider, or a wire wheel for a drill or drill press.

 

also if you have any kind of acid cleaning chemical that deals with rust or hard water stains, toilet bowl cleaner, it will help get in all the pits

Actually, I've had good luck with Rustoleum. Wire brush 'em, clean them with acetone, paint them, MAKE SURE THEY'RE DRY, scuff up the face where the belt will ride with 60 grit. The belt will eventually rub it clean there, but the rest of the pulley stays shiny and black (or, yellow in my case )

If you like the freshly wire wheeled look and want to preserve it, I've known clear-coat to work pretty good. Just haven't done it myself.

I ran across this stuff called Evap-O-Rust. Works REALLY well.

http://www.regismfg.com/norust.html

 

 

PUt the stuff in a bucket and immerse your rusty thing in it. Let it soak and voila...no more rust.