Restoring rusty Cast Iron kettles

[the plankton]

I just got two old cast iron kettles and I need some help cleaning them up. I'm not new to cooking with cast iron but I've never cleaned anything this old or rusty before.

I read the guides on this forum and saw some tips. I have a small, plain kettle and a big three-gallon one that was made in Baltimore. The rust on both looks pretty deep and I don't think there's much heavy buildup that needs lye. I really want to know if I can safely clean these without hurting them. Specifically, can I make the "Baltimore" letters on the big kettle look sharper? Or is that detail too far gone because of the rust? If it's smarter to just leave them alone, I will. But if you know how I should start, please share your tips

 

[castiron_mike]

Yes, you can safely clean your old cast iron kettles, even with deep rust, by using a rust-removing cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend or a vinegar soak, followed by thorough drying and re seasoning

 

[giantArmy]

Is the inside rusty? If yes, your best option is to do a reverse electrolysis setup.