Thanks to all who replied. In the past, I have used lemon juice and vinegar on two Indian swords, which I guess acts very similar to Coca Cola. Both swords were completely encrusted in rust and seemed to be in semi-relic condition. After 48hr soaking in lemon juice and a 48hr soaking in vinegar (lemon juice wasn't working), interrupted by vigorous scrubbings, I was able to get ALL of the rust out but it left the blades and hilts looking very flat and dull. While the rust was gone the pitting caused by it remained, and so I was left with a surface that looked much like an arial view of the surface of the moon - "crators" upon "crators" as far as the eye can see
I think now I know how to correct this. My wife just bought a huge roll of aluminum foil for her kitchen needs, and I have a couple of free hours today... So I think it is time for me to requisition her foil and get to work
I'll post some pictures when I am done.