Naval jelly works great.

Thank you i am off to Lowes. Do you know what I can use then to seal it and give it the stove blacking finish that it should have ?

I'd advise AGAINST using Naval Jelly, at least until you exhaust other methods.

One thing I've found to be particularly effective on cast iron is WD-40 and coarse steel wool.

Hose the area down with WD-40, and then leave it sit for about 10 minutes.

Then, hose it down again and scrub well with the steel wool, adding more WD-40 as necessary.

This works well against light to moderate surface rust, and you don't run the risk of pitting that you do with Naval Jelly.

i use naval jelley all the time, cant say it does any harm, but thats your call. All i know it works. I use it in my shop when stoves come in rusty. You need to re blacken it with stove polish, one manufature of stove polish is rutland.

Thanks I will get the Rutland product , it looks exactly like what I was needing....Jury is still out about Naval Jelly...may have to get it on the QT...web sites seem to make it safe enough with moderate precautions. Thanks for all the suggestions.