u/buddha2552

recently picked up this heavy duty secondhand tortilla press, and I am looking for the best way to get it back into a place that isn't actively corroding. I did not spend much on it, and I want to keep the restoration budget friendly. I am not looking to create a museum piece. I just want something that functions well and is actively protected from rusting more.

Here are the details on the press and my setup:

• The Material: I am fairly certain it is steel and not cast iron based on the design and the tack welds. There are no logos or maker marks anywhere, but it looks identical to some unbranded presses I have seen online. It weighs in at just under 13 pounds and the working surface is about 1 foot square.
• The Hardware: Nothing is seized up. The hinges have some surface rust, but they are welded in place. Since the lever moves smoothly, I am not planning to force anything apart or get deeper into the mechanics than necessary.
• My Arsenal: I have an angle grinder, orbital sanders, a power drill with wire wheel attachments, and access to a full shop right down the road.
• The Usage: I will always use parchment paper or plastic to sandwich the dough, so actual food contact with the metal will be limited.

Where I need your advice:

1. The Prep: What is the smartest approach for the peeling paint and rust? Should I use a chemical paint stripper and wire brushes to take the whole thing down to bare metal, or should I just sand the problem areas and blend it? The rust has definitely caused some pitting in the press surface. Is media blasting worth looking into or cost prohibitive?
2. The Coating: Once I handle the rust and grime, what is the best way to protect this thing moving forward? Keeping the parchment paper barrier in mind, should I hit it with high temp paint, could I season the bare metal like a skillet, or use a different approach entirely?

Thanks in advance for the help.