Show us your bench vice(s)

[RaceDiagnostics]

Citric acid wont touch the paint.

 

[RWD3M]

Citric acid wont touch the paint.

That's a blow! I'll be getting the Nitromors out then.

Do you think this is best done before or after rust removal?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I'd get rid of the paint first. Lately I've been boiling parts in baking soda to remove paint but the vice is a bit big for that.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

That's a blow! I'll be getting the Nitromors out then.

Do you think this is best done before or after rust removal?

Caustic soda will rid you of the paint.

 

[6ply]

That's a blow! I'll be getting the Nitromors out then.

Do you think this is best done before or after rust removal?

Nitromors won't remove the paint either. Not unless it's a stash of the old formula. I'd just use a wire brush on an angle grinder. It will remove crud, rust and paint in one go.

 

[MattF]

Do you think this is best done before or after rust removal?

Before. If you go the electrolysis route instead of using citric acid, you can kill both birds with one stone, both paint removal & derusting, as you'll be using an alkaline solution.