How would I clean and polish a rusty machete?

Rusty will require that you take it off with an abrasive (sandpaper), then run finer and finer sand paper after that to get it up to a polished finish.

Depending on the severity of rust, you could use a pencil grinder with a flap wheel and that would take it off as well as polish it. If you do not have access to one, get some water paper 200 grit as well as some 600 grit. Use plenty of water and start with the 200 and end off with the 600. You should get a real decent shine at the end. Happy Sanding!

Buy a package of steel wool. One with different grades. Start with the coarsest, and work your way to the fine stuff.

I do that with all the old knives I buy. Finish it with a coat of Turtle Wax to keep it from tarnishing.

Use Steel Wool, and Mineral Oil. RUB<RUB<RUB. Be careful!

wd 40 and steel wool, but be carefull because a lubricated blade is more likely to cut you!!