This may sound stupid, but I have never used white vinegar as a rust removal soak. I have used it with aluminum foil to remove rust from chromed steel rims and other bits; but I have not tried it as a soak until today.

I am using a 5% vinegar solution from the grocery store (Food Lion). My initial target is the lower race of the headset while also getting at some surface rust around the painted head tube lugs. I know that other BF members have used vinegar for this purpose.

Any tips? Any cautions? Does it work on painted surfaces? Should I avoid aluminum parts?