depends on how small, I don't mess with trying to strip nuts and bolts, and a lot of things not much bigger I'd also just replace if possible - all you have to do for smaller stuff is hang it in a bucket of solution by an attached wire and hook the electrode to the wire or a metal bar the wire hangs on, put the other electrode in the bucket of solution - most lighly surface rusted stuff comes clean overnight or faster, deeper pitted pieces might want 2 days
Bill