Exhaust rust

So I just got a new exhaust in a trade with a kid from another forum, and it is all rusty. I am just wondering what I should use to get the rust off, then what I should hit it with to prevent it from happening again.
Wire wheel? Just wire brush it all(i'd rather not). And then just shoot it with some spray on rust inhibitor for car frame stuff?
I'll post up a pic of it in a minute.

There's a few pictures. I don't think it is rusted through the metal in any spots, but I haven't looked it over too much yet.

it will just come back. it must be mild steel. the only way away from the rust is aluminized pipe.