Been de-rusting parts for years, using aluminum foil, and I cannot complain one single bit about the results. True, if there is pitting, aluminum foil will not work to eliminate the pits, but surface oxidation is GONE! And, I keep the cleaned chrome waxed, using Mother's Cleaning wax and the chrome remains bright and shiny as time passes - so far and I have been using foil for more than a decade, perhaps two.

Also, I try to make my hobby of street restoring vintage bicycles, as green as possible. I will do my best to avoid chemicals when doing my vintage bike thing.