How to clean up metal on old folding camera

[Ulophot]

This is my dad's Agfa Billy, from the 1930s, I'd guess. Just a keepsake; the lens has seen better days, too. I'm just wondering if I can clean up and preserve the metal on the closing latch bar that has corroded a bit as shown here. It appears to be aluminum, but I know nothing of metals.

Thanks.

[maltfalc]

looks like plated steel to me. if a magnet sticks to it, paper towels dampened with vinegar should work.

[Ulophot]

Thank you, Mr. Bogart. I always forget about magnets when judging metal, but I can't remember why... Anyway, plated steel it appears to be. I' get out my vinegar in a bit and test it out.

[LabRat]

Mask off the other areas with tape and lightly rub the area with a q-tip dipped in Brasso metal polish... Change the swabs frequently to prevent the removed rust particles from scratching the existing plating...

Steve K

[Tin Can]

I like "NEVER DULL" or Simi chrome either can reduce pitting

[Tin Can]

SIMICHROME2 by TIN CAN COLLEGE, on Flickr

[Kevin Crisp]

Simichrome is a great polish. But 0000 steel wool can handle that in seconds.