How to remove surface rust from gauge face?

[Frosty]

Good evening guys,

I am working on my 1967 XR7 gauge cluster (replacing the 2-wire tachometer with a 3-wire), and while I have it apart, I would like to get this surface rust off the gauge face. Any tips for how to clean it off without messing up the paint?

Thank you for any help!

[Since1980]

..but, it took almost 60 years to get it to look like that…

[Calicat]

Naval jelly will turn the rust black and neutralize it. It’s a gel, so you could apply it just to the rusty spots.

[cheeser]

Evaporust may work well in this case. May want to try just dipping the face vs entire assembly.

[EliminatorClone]

Evaporust has removed paint unintentionally for me in the past

[Frosty]

I wound up using some phosphoric acid on a q-tip and then followed it with a mild degreaser on a separate q-tip. It certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s a bit of an improvement. Thank you for the replies.