uncle uncle

So, I'm working on refurbing a set of MAFAC Racer brakes, and I'm a virgin in the sorta mechanical endeavor, and I was wondering... did they put some sort of coating on the structural saddle posts (where the spring coil sets, as does the red plastic bushing)? I took this part to task with some fine steel wool, and a bit of oil, and this is basically where I stand, after about 30 minutes of scrubbing off equal parts of accumulated crud on the posts and my finger tips. Does this look right? Or is the brown stuff that remains... is that just rust, or was it some sort of coating? It's hard to tell with my quick phone photo, but it has a bit of a bronze sheen more than a red/brown rust sheen. And oh, it was the cheaper version of the Racer, with the "it's not chrome" finish to the hardware. Thanks for your answers in advance...

oneclick 

Rust.

etherhuffer 

Rust. Throw it in Coca Cola overnight (phosphoric acid) or try Barkeepers Friend (oxalic acid) on it. Having done this many times, overnight soaking saves a lot of wear and tear on the fingers. If you have any friends who reload rifle cartridges, vibratory polishers work well too.

dweenk 

If you intend to dunk the whole brake arm, Coca Cola may be OK for a soak, but I would avoid oxalic acid on any aluminum part.

Nwvlvtnr 

Soak in Evaporust for a few hours followed by a little Quick-glo on the steel parts, evaporust will not harm the aluminum. I also paint the back side of the post swedge with Testors paint once the rust has been removed.