I am deciding how to prepare my drums for the high-heat spray paint I purchased. I have ruled out most rust removers since they would have to be wiped off, and that would be very difficult in the ridges of the drums.

That brings me to rust converters, which you apply and leave to dry. I can't seem to find one that states it works well for high heat applications. Has anyone used Rust Bullet Automotive?

 

This would take a little while, but it works. Get a wire wheel that fits on a drill and polish the rust off with that. Prime and paint with high heat paint.......

 

The rust removers I know about are water soluble - usually acidic with something to bind iron. Naval jelly would work - it's a phophoric acid gel - gel helps hold it on and phosphoric acid both dissolves rust and coats iron and steel with phosphate making paint bond better.

So why not use a rust remover, wipe off what you can then wash off the rest? Would be best to dry it quickly and use a high-heat metal primer before you get a new thin rust coat. After that, your pretty paint should be good to go.

Allen