How do I clean rust off of this bathroom towel rack?

I think I would use a good cleaner (such as vinegar) with steel wool and a steel brush to remove as much of the rust as possible. And then use a good metal spray paint (like rustoleum) to repaint the entire rack. Its been my experience that, honestly, once that kind of corrosion starts you can't really stop it. In awhile you will have to repaint again.

Thank you - that's a very good idea! My house is 150 years old and that 'modern' looking towel rack looks out of place with the claw foot iron tub. Painting it will make it stand out less

WD-40 is great for removing rust. Use a very fine grade steel wool to polish the rust off. As long as there isn't any pitting from the rust, you might want to coat it with several layers of clear coat to keep it from rusting again.

...to rectify this type of problem usually willnot work by the way of cleaning with a plethora of product ideas.

Just general clean making sure to use a heated hand towel(by microwave) to dry/& to warm-up towel rack. Use a high graded silver spray paint with primer to prevent rust. Spray immediately (with nozzle around 20cm directly away from item being sprayed); this ought to fasten the drying time , including any slight drips( Incase by spraying to close).. always Top graded paint here as the final result you’ll want to last; top grade with all required products in one can will set you back around ten bucks a can, in your money:)

*^*Please always be safe,& use appropriate recyclable ‘things’ that can thrown away as protection ( for walls/floors ect.. ;)

Always wishing Happy Therapy Crafting!

coca cola and aluminum foil ....and elbow grease

Here is an article that might help - https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Chrome-and-Remove-Rust-Without-Expensive-Cleaners

SOS pad. :-)

Use aluminum foil. I used it on my bicycle chromed handle bars and they came back shiny as ever! Good luck!

There is also a product made by CLR to remove rust. It is environmentally friendly. Make sure you clean the bar off with vinegar before you paint it so that there is no residue of anything you cleaned it with including WD40. I would then spray paint it with a metal paint suitable for the product your bar is made of.

0000 steel wool and chrome polish.

I realize this is an older thread so I hope it's okay to add to the discussion. I have some outrageously expensive wrought iron towel racks that were hand made. I elected to have a clear coat only over the wrought iron. Whelp, after about 6 months, ALL of my towels became covered in rust from the racks. I read through the suggestions here, and ultimately, I had to sand, sand, sand then add a ludicrous amount of clear coat (Rustoleum clear coat). But, I still don't trust it.... and, I buy crazy expensive towels. I think my ultimate solution will be a rustoleum spray paint, but in a color like off-white or something like that. That way, I can tell if the rust is resurfacing. Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread! The information was very helpful. 👍

Rustoleum makes a spray paint for items like this even in metal finishes you can find it at Walmart, Home Depot, etc