On Sat, 29 May 2010 23:18:04 -0500, Ignoramus6711
wrote:

I have a quantity of larger size steel bolts and nuts (5/8 and up). It
is a nice pile from which I get just what I need for whatever I am
doing. Except that they are dirty and rusty.

My question is, can I tumble them with ceramic media, or is there a
possibiilty that it will ruin threads? Any ideas?

i

I think I'd try electrolytic cleaning in an alkaline medium. The
alkalai will cut grease and the electrolytic action will attack rust
but not good steel.