How to remove rust or paint from lots of pieces of small hardware

[JohnNeiferd]

I've used some stuff from the Walmart automotive paint section called Klean-Strip Rust Remover "Jellied Rust Remover." It worked surprisingly well, and it says to keep away from paint so it probably strips paint away pretty well too. I'd try to electrolytic method Erik suggested first, then I'd try the Klean-Strip Rust Remover to get anything that is stuck on after that.