Steel wool on frame ... good or bad idea?

The RIGHT way

Prep: get the existing paint off the surrounding area so you can see where the rust starts and stops using a plastic wire wheel, sandpaper, etc.

Kill rust: use wire brush/wheel to get surface rust off. If deeper rust or pitting exists under that, follow with naval jelly or grinding wheel (be careful what you grind off...)

Clean area: wipe down metal with isopropyl alcohol

Prime: two coats of primer

Paint: two coats paint

The easy way
Kill rust: use wire brush and sand paper to get off as much rust as you can see

Prime+paint: 2 coats of rust inhibit spray paint

Done.


Look, it ultimately depends on how much work you want to put in and how bad your rust problem really is. If it's just surface rust you want to touch up, do it the easy way.