any acid will work to remove rust, just the strength is the issue. I use diluted hydrochloric acid. works really fast- be warned if you forget the part in the acid it may be destroyed or gone!
I give a Quick wire brush and just dip and brush until clean(couple of minutes), but the plater will also acid strip everything.
I like to acid clean before welding any old parts, getting rid of the plating stops the eye blinding flashes if tigging