Molassas do work very well however over a longer period of time, circa two weeks for larger items. Coca Cola contains citric acid which does clean. You can make a vat with 3 %citric acid and soak the item you then have to take it out after 24hours wire brush it then soak for another 24 hours, then wirebrush / jet wash the oxidised waste from the metal. it works well but you have to really flush he steel properly then use a heat gun or blow torch to heat the metal and thoroughly dry it out otherwise it oxidises very quickly.
here is a good demo of this process
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckdMdiJlV7c
and likewise a good example of results from an electrolysis bath for large items... this one is four parts and the link i have put is part four
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35nmK...D41B7&index=18