yes, at full strength here are more uses for vinegar: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/970811c.cfm

According to http://www.chip.com/buick/techtips/rustremoval.html, yes, vinegar removes rust. "Vinegar: If you have smaller parts, you can derust them using plain vinegar. Submerge the parts in the vinegar, then heat the vinegar on a stove or hot plate. This will stink. If you do not live alone, do it outside or when no one else is home. NOTE: Vinegar is acetic acid. After removing the rust, it will continue to slowly eat away at the part. It will also leave the part with a "pickled" or weathered look. As such, you must be careful if you're using vinegar (or any acid) to remove rust from parts that aren't destined to be painted. You should also note that the vinegar will have the same effect on any container used to hold it. Either use an old pot, can, etc., or use glass." That makes sense, given that vinegar is an acid (acetic acid). Most commercial vinegar has a pH of around 2.4, and as you probably know, an acid is anything with a pH under 7. More information on pH here: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html One sure rust remover is hydrochloric acid, aka muriatic acid, but you have to be careful when you use it. Wear heavy rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. It really stinks, but even a small bit applied to rust takes the rust off quickly. I hope this helps.

Yes it does. Coca-Cola also strips rust--and copper for that matter...

Vinegar contains acid that will dissolve the iron oxyde (rust). So any type of acid can remove rust. The rust remover and canvorteer are usually based on a chemical acid. You've to be carefull with acid on steel 'cause you can remove the rust but also corrode the steel... http://www.corrosionist.com/how_does_rust_form.htm S