So...im no collector at all, nor have i 'restored' any guns...so asvice from the likes of the experience above is probably better...
However, for what its worth..
A few of my older rifles, such as an old Rem 788, brno mod 2 & a martini all have surface rust in various places--infact the entire face/cheeks of the martini action has a lovely patina of surface rust in matter of a day if put away without an oily wipe over...
To get it off, ive found a good fubbing with a 'stiff' or harsh cotton & light oil to do the trick.
By stiff or harsh, i mean along the lines of a cotton drill, or a cotton canvas type material...NOT a flanelette...
Inbetwwen rubbings/coats, i do wipe away with a flanelette type rag tho...i find that gets into the microscopic divets better...
I just keep going with different spots on the rag, wiping old rusty brown oil away & adding new oil, until getting little to no brown on section of clean rag.
While rust is the enemy of guns, i have to say, my Martini looks its smashing best after a session of hard rubbing with light oil & cotton drill...the patina left from removing surface rust on an old rifle just gives such a warm classy look to any rifle...makes me want to pick it up & play with it, then i have to clean off finger prints again...
Its such a shame we live in a society full of fukwits...
Nothing beats the beautiful patina on an old rifle hanging on a wall...!!
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...