Reddit mentions: The best abrasive brushes
We found 46 Reddit comments discussing the best abrasive brushes. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 22 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Century Drill and Tool 76221 Coarse Drill Cup Wire Brush, 2-3/4-Inch
- Wire brushes are used to remove rust paint and weld spatter on all types of metal parts or surfaces
- Deburr and clean the inside and outside of pipes valves and other fittings
- 1/4" hex quick change shank
- Type of wire is crimped
Features:
Specs:
Color | metal |
Height | 2.75 Inches |
Length | 2.625 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2-3/4-Inch Coarse |
Weight | 0.3 Pounds |
Width | 13.5 Inches |
2. Forney 72729 Wire Cup Brush, Coarse Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-Inch-by-.012-Inch
- Ideal for light duty cleaning action
- Typical applications include removal of dirt, rust, paint, scale and weld spatter
- For use with any 1/4" diameter electric power drill or pneumatic (air) drills
- Diameter: 2" (50.8 millimeters)
- Shank: 1/4" (6.35 millimeters)
- Material: Steel
- Hex wire size: .012" (.304 millimeters)
- Maximum revolutions per minute (RPM): 6,000
- Click on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title to view our full catalog of Welders, Abrasives, Chain/Wire Rope, Tools and more!
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 2.375 Inches |
Length | 2 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2-Inch-by-.012-Inch |
Weight | 0.18 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
3. Forney 72730 Wire Cup Brush, Fine Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-Inch-by-.008-Inch
- Designed for easy access into narrow holes and confined areas
- Crimped style for light to medium duty applications
- Removes rust, scale and paint in hard to reach areas
- 1/4-Inch (6. 35-mm) hex shank
- Works with any power drill or pneumatic air drill
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2.38 Inches |
Length | 2 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2-Inch-by-.008-Inch |
Weight | 0.05 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
4. Hobart 770210 Nylon Tube Brush, 1/2-Inch
- Product Type:Tools
- Item Package Dimension:27.432 cm L X 4.318 cm W X 0.762 cm H
- Item Package Weight:0.3 lbs
- Country Of Origin: China
Features:
Specs:
Number of items | 1 |
5. Century Drill & Tool 77223 Fine Nylon Abrasive Cup Brush, 2"
- For cleaning large flat surfaces.
- No sparking; Safe around flamable materials.
- Aluminum oxide impregnated nylon bristles hold their shape better than standard wire brushes
- Can be used on metal, wood, plastic and masonry surfaces
- 1/4" Shank
Features:
Specs:
Color | metal |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 2.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2" Fine |
Weight | 0.13 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
6. Forney 72757 Wire Cup Brush, Knotted with 5/8-Inch-11 Threaded Arbor, 2-3/4-Inch-by-.020-Inch
- THREADED ARBOR: 5/8”-11
- IDEAL FOR heavy-duty cleaning of large metal surfaces and edge blending
- EASY AND SMOOTH removal of burrs, spatter, weld scale and rust
- WORKS BEST WITH a right angle grinder and .020” wire
- QUICK REVOLUTION SPEED at 12,500 revolutions per minute (RPM)
- Ideal for fast, heavy duty cleaning of large surfaces
- Also for removing weld scale, rust burrs and spatter
- Designed for use on right angle grinders only
- Click on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title to view our full catalog of Welders, Abrasives, Chain/Wire Rope, Tools and more!
- Ideal for fast, heavy duty cleaning of large surfaces
- Also for removing weld scale, rust burrs and spatter
- Designed for use on right angle grinders only
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2.25 Inches |
Length | 2.75 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2-3/4-Inch-by-.020-Inch |
Weight | 0.6 Pounds |
Width | 2.75 Inches |
7. Forney 72759 4-Inch x .020 x 5/8-11 Knot Wire Wheel
- THREADED ARBOR: 5/8”-11
- IDEAL FOR heavy-duty cleaning applications and removal of weld scale, spatter and heavy corrosion
- EASY AND SMOOTH REMOVAL of weld scale, spatter and heavy corrosion
- WORKS BEST WITH right angle grinders and .020 wire
- QUICK REVOLUTION SPEED at 20,000 revolutions per minute (RPM)
- Twist knot wire wheel brushes provide high impact
- These wheels are used in surface preparation prior to welding
- Click on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title to view our full catalog of Welders, Abrasives, Chain/Wire Rope, Tools and more!
- Twist knot wire wheel brushes provide high impact
- These wheels are used in surface preparation prior to welding
- Also great for removing weld scale, spatter and heavy corrosion
- Used for heavy duty cleaning applications
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.75 Inches |
Length | 4 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 4-Inch-by-.020-Inch |
Weight | 0.6 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
8. DEWALT Wire Wheel, Crimped, 6-Inch (DW4904)
This are easy to useThis are highly durableThis is manufactured in ChinaHighly specified wire gradesConstructed with internal holding plate to ensure consistency and safetyEven balance provides smooth performanceWire is 100 percent inspected to meet demanding quality specifications0.014 wire size, c...
Specs:
Color | CHROME |
Height | 9.606 Inches |
Length | 7.205 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Large |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 0.984 Inches |
9. Weiler 17619 0.0118" Wire Size, 2" Diameter, 3/4" Face Width, Steel Bristles, Wide Face, Stem Mounted Crimped Wire Wheel Conflex Brush
Covers broader surface areaApplicable for cleaning and finishing recessed areas or ID; die, mold and tool cleaning and polishing; rubber and plastic flash removal; rust and paint removalAlso used for deburring, spot facing; weld, ID pipe and carbon cleaning; scale and slag removal
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 1 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | November 2017 |
Size | 2" |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
10. Forney 72733 Wire Wheel Brush, Coarse Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-1/2-Inch-by-.012-Inch
Designed for easy access into narrow holes and confined areasCrimped style for light to medium duty applicationsRemoves rust, scale and paint in hard to reach areas1/4-Inch (6.35-mm) hex shankWorks with any power drill or pneumatic air drillClick on the (BY FORNEY) name above in blue under the title...
Specs:
Color | Original Version |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2-1/2-Inch-by-.012-Inch |
Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
11. Dico 541-786-21/2 Nyalox Cup Brush 21/2-Inch Blue 240 Grit
- Designed to maintain shape
- Will not rust, shed or puncture skin
- Ideal for a variety of applications
- Last up to (10) times longer that wire brushes
- Convenient shapes and sizes for all jobs
- Gray-Extra Coarse…Orange-Coarse and Blue-Fine
- Will not rust & maintains its shape. Safer to use.
- For light cleaning and polishing of woods and metals
- Last up to (10) times longer that Wire Brushes
- Convenient Shapes and Sizes for all jobs
- Gray-Extra Coarse…Orange-Coarse and Blue-Fine
- Will not rust & maintains its shape. Safer to use.
- For light cleaning and polishing of woods and metals
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Height | 2.5 Inches |
Length | 2.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2 1/2" |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 2.75 Inches |
12. Makita 1 Piece - 3 Inch Nylon Cup Brush For Drills - Light-Duty Conditioning For All Applications - 80 Grit
1 Makita Premium Ultra Light-Duty Nylon Cup Brush for All Materials | 80 Grit, 3 Inch Bristle Cup for DrillsDesigned for ultra light-duty and minimal material damage surface conditioning, grout removal, polishing and scrubbing. Makita 3" Coarse Nylon Cup Brush is gentle on all materials and made fro...
Specs:
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Size | 1 Piece | 3" Coarse CUP Brush |
Weight | 0.26896395964 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
13. Dico 541-780-21/2 Nyalox Cup Brush 21/2-Inch Orange 120 Grit
- Safer to use than wire brushes
- Orange 180 grit medium grit in nylon bristles
- Doesn't rust
- Quick change hex mandrel
- Use with electric or cordless drills
- Doesn't shred its bristles
- Ideal for paint or rust removal
- Last up to (10) times longer that Wire Brushes
- Convenient Shapes and Sizes for all jobs
- Gray-Extra Coarse…Orange-Coarse and Blue-Fine
- Last up to (10) times longer that Wire Brushes
- Convenient Shapes and Sizes for all jobs
- Gray-Extra Coarse…Orange-Coarse and Blue-Fine
- Will not rust & maintains its shape. Safer to use.
- For moderate removal and cleaning of surface rust, corrosion, oxidation, weld scales, and old paint from metals
Features:
Specs:
Color | Orange |
Height | 2.5 Inches |
Length | 2.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2 1/2" |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 2.75 Inches |
14. Century Drill & Tool 77443 Fine Nylon Abrasive Radial Brush, 4"
No sparking; Safer around flammable substratesFor cleaning in crevices and contoursAluminum oxide impregnated nylon bristles hold their shape better than standard wire brushesCan be used on metal, wood, plastic and masonry surfacesGreat for removing paint, corrosion, rust and for preparing surfaces ...
Specs:
Color | metal |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 4 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 4" Fine |
Weight | 0.26 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
15. Forney 72795 Cup Brush, Fine Crimped with 1/4" Shank, 2"
- Designed for easy access into narrow holes and confined areas
- Crimped style for light to medium duty applications
- Removes rust, scale and paint in hard to reach areas
- 1/4 inch (6. 35 millimeter) hex shank
- Works with any power drill or pneumatic air drill
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 1.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 2" |
Weight | 0.15 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
16. Mtsooning 320# 400# 600# Abrasive Nylon Wheel Brush Woodwork Polish Grinder (3Pcs)
- High Quality: The abrasive nylon wheel rush is made of nylon bristles, and sides of bristles act as flexible tools to handle all kinds of holes, grooves and corners, working well on the hard to reach areas.
- Safe Design: The grit nylon drill brush set is designed for easy access into narrow holes and confined areas, and it is safer to use than wire brushes; the synthetic, chemical-resistant nylon Bristles are extremely safe and will not spark, corrode, rust, shed, and puncture your skin.
- Function: The abrasive grinding head can be used to remove rust and paint from flat surfaces, lightly sand wood, and prepare metal or wood for painting. Their life is loner than a wire brush.
- Wide Use: The abrasive cup brush set is suitable for all wet or dry applications like metal, steel, stainless steel, wood, aluminum, plastic, PVC, stones and others, while maintaining its bristle integrity after extended use.
- Package: You will receive 3PCS drill wheel brush.The shank diameter is 6mm(0.24inch); the shank length is 70mm(2.76inch); the grinding diameter is 83mm(3.27inch).
Features:
Specs:
Size | 320# 400# 600# |
Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
17. Gunpla 3" Wire Cup Brush with 1/4" Hex Shank Hardened Brass Steel Crimp Wheel Heavy Duty Wires Brushes for Metal, Removal of Rust Corrosion Paint
- Gunpla wheel crimped wire cup brush perfectly works as a grinder as well as can effectively and easily scour away rust, scale, and loose paint.
- This handy wire cup brush is the ideal tool for smoothing rough edges on metal or to grind away rust. Crimped brass coated carbon steel bristles scrub surfaces clean, leaving only the smooth surface underneath.
- Our perfectly design wire brushes are used to remove rust paint and weld spatter on all types of metal parts or surfaces. It could also fit multiple uses. Keep one in your car, garage, office and kitchen.
- This Gunpla package includes 1pc 3 Inch crimped wire cup brush featuring a hex shank, in hardened steel to make sure the quality is the best.
- The hex shank crimped wire brush perfectly works with most power drill or pneumatic air drills with a Max 4500 R.P.M.
Features:
18. Forney 72740 Wire Wheel Brush, Fine Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 4-Inch-by-.008-Inch
Designed for easy access into narrow holes and confined areasCrimped style for light to medium duty applicationsRemoves rust, scale and paint in hard to reach areas1/4-Inch (6.35-mm) hex shankWorks with any power drill or pneumatic air drillDesigned for easy access into narrow holes and confined are...
Specs:
Height | 1.8 Inches |
Length | 4 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 4"-by-.008" |
Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
19. IVY Classic 39202 3-Inch x 1/4-Inch Round Shank, Nylon Abrasive Cup Brush - Coarse 80 Grit, 1/Card
- Removes rust and paint from flat surfaces, lightly sands wood and prepares metal and wood for painting
- Nylon bristles impregnated with silicon carbide
- Sides of bristles act as flexible files
- Bristle Trim Length: 7/8-inch, Grit: 80 - Coarse
- 1/4-inch round shank, Max RPM: 4,500
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 3" x 1/4" Round Shank |
Width | 3 Inches |
20. Lincoln Electric KH315 Stainless Steel Twisted Stringer Bead Brush, 20000 rpm, 4" Diameter x 3/16" Face Width, 5/8" x 11 UNC Arbor (Pack of 1)
Twisted stringer bead brushHigh concentration of knots, precision balanced, and rugged constructionHigh impact brush for stringer bead cleaning, pipe fabrication, brushing expansion joints, and narrow grooves3/16-inches face width0. 020-inches wire size
🎓 Reddit experts on abrasive brushes
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where abrasive brushes are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
There's no simple chemical fix.
There are tons of products on the market, and almost everyone thinks they have the uber-secret ultramegarustfix technique using some kind of special blend of obscure chemicals. "It worked for my Uncle's friend's brother, it's definitely the best!" Don't waste your time.
Short of dipping the entire rack in a tank of acid, the best possible way to fix any rust is to mechanically remove it, then properly prime the clean bare metal and top coat it to prevent corrosion in the future.
I'm assuming you don't have a full shop of tools to work with, but you can probably find a battery drill. Get a wire wheel like this there on Amazon or at basically any hardware store. Put it in the drill and go to work. Just remove all visible rust. Use a maroon paint prep scuff pad to scuff the surface of the rest of the rack. Wipe it down with wax and grease remover.
If you don't want to go with the drill and wire wheel, just use 180 and then 320 grit sandpaper. That will take care of it. I just prefer rotary tools whenever possible because hand-sanding always sucks.
Your choice in top coat paint will determine the best course of action following removal of the rust. I'm an automotive painter, so I always recommend going with 2k catalyzed automotive materials for the absolute best in durability other than powder coating, which is much more expensive.
You don't have a lot of rust there, so not much will be bare metal. You can get away with simple non-catalyzed self-etching primer rather than epoxy, which is tougher. Spray a light coat or two of etch primer over the bare metal, let it dry, then scuff with the same maroon pad. Wipe down the surface with wax and grease remover again, then top coat.
I'm assuming you want the rack black again, so I'll recommend a catalyzed chassis black paint.
That's exactly how I'd do it. You'll end up with a very durable, good looking surface.
I recommend something like this for removing the rust without damaging the metal. You just put it on the drill and let it do the work. The surface of the metal afterwards will be great for allowing paint to stick.
I'd go with rustoleum or some other rust proofing enamel for the paint. I also recommend either a white primer or white paint as the first coat, then your color, then decals, then clear coat. Be careful when clear coating decals. Thin coats and lots of dry time in between coats will prevent the decals from getting fucked up by the solvents in the paint.
You'll need to scuff the paint in between coats and wetsand off any fish eye before applying clear coat as well as wetsand clear coat to remove any funky textures or fisheye. Then you'll need to give the clear coat a few weeks to fully dry.
Once everything is dry, you can compound with something like meguiars m102 and a microfiber towel.
It's a ton of work, but also pretty rewarding and educational. You realize how much work and attention to detail it takes to produce a good paint job.
TL; DR: Don't even bother getting the paint stripper, if you insist on fresh brick it's easier to rip the painted brick out and put up fresh brick.
I think I ended up not being able to get SoyGel, which is commonly recommended so I used a Blue Bear solution and I think Ready-strip. I got one off Amazon, ran out and grabbed whatever they had at Home Depot for the second attempt. Both of them stink to high heaven, so you need a really good gas mask and ventilation. Nobody else should be in the house. Though save your time, money and brain cells, because it didn't work for me:
My brick was heavily caked from multiple layers of paint. The stripper actually did a good job on the first layer, and then there was this resilient horrible looking off-white underneath. I don't know if it was stubborn because it was a better paint (maybe oil?) or just because it was mechanically locked onto the brick surface whereas the previous coat was just on top of this one. Anyway, the gels didn't work, so I bought some wire bristle cups for my angle grinder to try to pull the paint off without destroying the surface of the brick.
My whole house shook from my fireplace laughing at the tickle from those things. So I stepped up to these. It was more effective, but slow. At some point my angle grinder burnt out, so I was back at Home Depot buying a new angle grinder, and upgraded from a 4 amp to a 7 amp. I also got some of these, which looked way too strong but I was getting desperate.
Between the stronger angle grinder and those wire discs it was actually chewing through the paint pretty good. Mind you, I had built a Dexter-quality tent of drop sheets around my fireplace with 2-3 layers on each side to try keep the brick and paint dust from going through my home. I had a purple respirator, eye glasses and full face shield and would have to stop because the tent would get so filled with red dust in the air you couldn't see anything. It took me weeks to scrub all the red dust off everything, I had to paint the ceiling and walls because the inside of the tent walls were so stained with red dust, and I'm sure I still have plenty of it in my lungs that will eventually kill me.
I ended up cleaning all the brick to 'good enough', since I was planning on white washing anyway. It'd be impossible to get it completely red again. Then I went through the process of repairing all the brick I chipped and cleaning out the mortar. Then I repointed the mortar and did my white wash. That was a mistake, then the mortar was all colored, so I removed the fresh mortar again, touched up my paint, then repointed the mortar a second time.
In the end I'd say it actually came out really nice. You couldn't convince me to do it again with a gun to my head. Oh, and I'm wrapping up a major remodel and we just decided that we're going to have the entire fireplace resurfaced because brick doesn't really fit our house anymore. Shoot me.
​
It completely depends on your financial situation, but I would recommend just buying your own tools. You will get more than your moneys worth if you hang on to them for 5-10 years. Which is very easy with proper care.
Here are some cheaper yet not terrible options on Amazon. These should get most jobs done around the house.
Total of $48
If you want to go with another method outlined here you can use a regular drill. Tons of uses for a drill other than sanding down your skillet.
Total of $45
What tools do you have?
For longevity target rust. Sand, grind, scrape it down and paint it with hightemp paint. You can replace the grates if you want just search cooking/grill grates on Amazon and you'll probably find something that fits. Personally I'd replace the handles. I hate a grill that feels like it wants to crush my hand when I'm taking a peek or sticking in a temperature probe.
IF I were cleaning it up I'd take this to it, inside and out, and repaint the whole thing. If you don't have an angle grinder a Drill version works (preferably with a cord, batteries don't last that long). I'd remove/replace all wood (handles particularly), hardware, screws, bolts, anything that comes off. Maybe something with the hinges, probably some PB Blaster to break up that rust then some WD40 to coat/lubricate whats left.
To use it, clean off the grates and smoke something, it's usable as is. Get it nice and hot then bring the temperature down and let it go. You may find that it is to big/small for you. People underestimate the charcoal and wood required to keep a smoker this big going. I personally couldn't use one this big, smoking 3 times what you eat sounds good til you throw away good brisket or ribs a week later. If you want to smoke as much as possible get the smoker that makes it easy, not the one that feeds your extended family once a year. For free, just use it and see before you invest time/money.
I tried an assortment of brake dust cleaners and even brake parts cleaner with no luck so I resorted to a relatively soft wire brush attachment for a drill.
This was a last resort for me. It was between this and new wheels. I’m very happy with how they turned out.
Forney 72729 Wire Cup Brush, Coarse Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-Inch-by-.012-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TG60GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pxnYDbWFA2K9V
It didn’t scratch the wheel at all. I even used it on the front of the wheels and it didn’t scratch the paint. Turned out 1000x better than anticipated. Took about 2 hours for all 4 wheels including the time it took to jack the vehicle up and down.
Side note: If you wet the wheel down first it seems to work better.
If you have the money I like using formula 420. It's only $8 at my local smoke shop, and will clean my bong at least 10 times. It always works great, and you don't need to use that much. I would also invest in a pipe brush, they work great for down stems / joints.
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wPR55HoN_M
That guy has great information and tips. I use Rustoleum. Doesn't matter if it's gloss, satin, or flat, it all comes out looking good as long as you sand the enclosure as he does in the video. You can always spray clear coat on top to make it shiny, or leave it flat. Bake it in a dedicated toaster oven for 30 minutes on about 175. Not one that you will be cooking food in as the chemicals will leach into your food. The toaster oven is not necessary but it sure helps dry and cure the paint. To remove paint, I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UUADHQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage and attach it to my drill. Lay the drill on it's side on a sturdy table, wear leather gloves, and strip away.
Looks cool,
To strip the paint, I'm not sure if this is the best way, but I'd use a grinding brush attached to a powerful drill.
Make sure to use a good mask, old paint dust is nasty stuff.
Apply some rust killer and repaint it white like the old one.
Have fun
You got a link to that? Sounds funny lol I'm not 100% sure i'm doing it the "right" way but i'm trying to do as best I can.
It was a lot of work, getting in all the cracks and crevices on the frame was a pain. Eventually invested in one of [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Forney-72730-Crimped-2-Inch----008-Inch/dp/B001GM8POY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475185920&sr=8-1&keywords=wire+drill) and it made life a lot easier
if you're wire brushing much of anything you'll want a power brush. something like this in a drill works decently. Next step up is a cheap angle grinder and a cup wheel.
either one will be far far far quicker and easier than doing it by hand.
Looks great!
I've found that these bristle brushes are good at cleaning out the fuzzies that get left behind -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0787ZPHKN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
​
They're cheaper on ebay/alibab/etc though.
Honestly, just use a drill and wire wheel. Anything else is overkill unless the calipers are incredibly pitted, in which case you’d almost certainly do better to just replace them.
One of these and one of these or go nuts and get one of these and save yourself some time. (Obviously you should order more than one wire wheel at $4/each)
I've had to remove hard foam from a hot tub before so I'm not sure how well it works with the foam insulation you were working with but I was able to remove it pretty well with this on a drill. Makes a mess but it tore through the insulation pretty fast.
I know I'm late to the party but this is available for a good price
I use a nylon cup brush on a drill:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0193F9YWW
It is something like an 80 or 100 grit. It polishes more than it grinds. Good for getting into nooks and crannies.
Wear a face shield and an apron, though. You will spatter stuff using one of these.
I wouldn't go straight to something as strong as CLR personally, at the very least I would dilute it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-Building-Products-Aqua-Mix-1-lb-Sulfamic-Acid-Crystals-050231/300176044
https://www.amazon.com/Dico-541-780-21-Nyalox-2-Inch-Orange/dp/B00004YYD1/ref=lp_3024384011_1_3?srs=3024384011&ie=UTF8&qid=1526609953&sr=8-3
I'd be surprised if the combo of the two products above don't fix your issue.
Should be just fine. If it bothers you, and you really want to get it off, I've had good luck with one of these wheels mounted in a drill. It's basically a high-powered brush version of the green scotch-brite pad you'll find on a kitchen sponge. Removes a very small amount of material, but it's basically polishing. It'll leave a smoother surface than you currently have, and everything will wash right out.
Put a bolt thru it tighten it with a nut and put it in a drill chuck.
Should look/work like this.
This will get the rust off the bar and plates in no time. Beats the heck out of hand brushing.
https://www.amazon.com/Gunpla-Brush-Crimped-Tempered-Bristles/dp/B0787R6WJY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539046956&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=gunpla+wire+brush+hex&dpPl=1&dpID=51Ca3ps3v2L&ref=plSrch
Just use a wire brush to scrape the rust off.
You won't hurt any markings, it will be brand new.
The only way you'll remove the markings is if they were pitted/rusted.
Or use a wire wheel like this one, and chuck it into your drill press.
I don't recommend a bench grinder with a wire wheel, they can remove a lot more than you want.
You can probably use an abrasive brush on a drill (~3500rpm) for the cast iron parts without damaging the details.
http://www.amazon.com/IVY-Classic-39202-3-Inch-Abrasive/dp/B011ICCS1W/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1462196764&sr=8-12&keywords=abrasive+brush
You know with just an ounce or two of 91% alcohol and salt (I like coarse kosher salt) plus ~10 seconds of shaking and it is all done. I plug up the down stem hole with TP, and when I'm done, I use the left over alcohol with a paper towel to clean up the resin that gets in the sink from cleaning the bowl. I use a nylon pipe brush for the down stem, just drop the down stem in the bottle of alcohol and go to town with the brush. Entire process takes no more then 3-5 minutes.
I would not use steel wool on stainless cookware. Unless it was stainless steel wool, which it is usually not.
Using a steel tool in conjunction with a stainless part is iffy in some circumstances. For example, there exist stainless screwdrivers to use on stainless screws. Also stainless wire wheels for use with angle grinders on stainless steel work.
Note, some tools are stainless steel just to be rustproof or autoclavable, which is a different use case.
The wire brush suggested by WWD should work. I had the same problem with the paint in the small grooves and brushing them looked tedious to me. So I used a wire brush attachment on a drill and saved some time/elbow grease.
Get a wire cup brush. Forney 72729 Wire Cup Brush, Coarse Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-Inch-by-.012-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TG60GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.Jg2CbCJF1RXX
Scrape it out with a metal spoon.
Heat it in the microwave to melt it.
Wire brush on a drill.
a wire wheel http://www.amazon.com/Forney-72729-Crimped-2-Inch----012-Inch/dp/B000TG60GS/ref=sr_1_11/185-6920570-4868405?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1417352093&sr=1-11&keywords=wire+wheel+brush+for+drill
3m metal cleaning attachment for a power drill after a little degreaser soak. I'd just use elbow grease but 75 to 100.... go to home depot and spend 10 bucks, grab a power drill and unleash the fury dude.
Forney 72729 Wire Cup Brush, Coarse Crimped with 1/4-Inch Hex Shank, 2-Inch-by-.012-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TG60GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_p-EwDbTYE43E4