Cleaning Antique Golf Clubs

Can I use Muriatic Acid to clean some antique golf clubs that I just purchased. The shafts are hickory but the head are steel and are rusted. They do not have a chrome finish. After I clean the heads, How do I seal the metal ? I tried this in the past but the metal seams to be very porous when I am done, any Ideas ?

Hello,

I use muriatic acid a lot to clean/etch iron heads and putters that are brass. Also works on aluminum. I place the heads in the acid over night then clean them thouroughly with hot water and dish detergent immediately after removing from the acid. It will leave the metal a dull grey like color. A good polishing on a buffing wheel will bring back the luster afterward.