I just discovered (at least I think I did) a great way to clean nasty old spokes. I was looking around the shop and I knew I wanted something thick and clingy but nothing I had came to mind. Then I see it... A bottle of Aluminum Jelly... Hmmm. Viscosity is about what I want but the directions say do not apply to ferrous metals... I decide to do a test. I apply some to a spoke with a small SS brush that I got at Harbor Freight the brush is like a toothbrush and just the right size for scrubbing spokes. So I put it on and brush a few strokes and the grunge starts coming off. I hose it off and the spoke looks like new! OK I'm all in now! I set the wheel up on the lift with a piece of cardboard under it and get busy... Took about 15-20 minutes to apply to all the spokes working from both sides brushing the back of the spokes from the opposite side. I let it sit for about 15 minutes and hose it off. Wow! what a difference! This is what the spokes looked like before... I had since cleaned the rim with some Specialty Reducer. These are after about a half hour of work...
I have a few of rusty nasty looking spokes on the rims to clean up. Your way sounds good. O was also thinking about polishing them once the rust is gone with the simi chrome polish with a dremel? Or clear coating them so they can't rust again.
Still on the fence about polishing but they should get some sort protection. I would use a strip of towel with a little polish of choice... Dremel is a little tough to get into the tight spots IMO. Plus they have no power at all. I tried my Father in Laws a few days ago... seems like a children's toy.
Old shoe lace & use polish of choice. Wrap the shoelace around the spoke & use the push pull method. Scothbrite really bad ones.
Years ago in the 50's we used rolled up into a ball aluminum foil to remove rust on bumpers. My older brothers did it on a 50 mercy and 52 Chevy. I watched I was 10yo.
There are probably other brands but I picked up Locktite Brand... I forget where... Had to be Ace Hardware, Home Depot/Lowes or Advance Auto/Auto Zone. There is also Naval Jelly for rust but I had this and it worked for me... Have not had a chance to try Naval Jelly. Whatever you do be careful if your rims are nice! Mine are all scarred and faded so I didn't really care if it discolored them but it looks like it hasn't.