I have learned that there is no one way to clean a tool, every tool that comes in is in different condition. I not longer want to get a tool to restored condition, heck its a tool, its used, and deserves to be used again, and if it not going to be used, the get it back to good working condition. And trying to save some history here.
Pictured, a Snap on 24" Tee, very rare. Its about as rusty as it can get. pd. 40 dollars for it.
With this much rust you just don't want your work area turn into a dust bowl, so will treat it to evoporust for a couple of days. If it was light rust would probably just clean in up with a fine wire wheel (don't skip cost here, buy a good one like Weiler, and use googles. If it just dirty/grease will use a ultrasonic cleaner
I have used the electric method, works well but its a mess to clean up.
More to come, get the tool some what cleaned
Also, there are lots of ways collectors deal with this, so please post, its always nice to learn something new.