I just got my grandfathers old lures and there is some good stuff that i want to use that is very oxdized.  There are many mepps and several spoons that are very grimy looking.  I was wondering if i should toss them in the walnut polisher for gun brass.  Seems like a logical choice but looking to see if i am way outside the box???  I do plan to remove and trash the hooks ahead of time and put on fresh sharp ones before use.

Brasso should work.

Old lures have bronze hooks, if they are rusted they need to be replaced and I'm not sure if you can replace the hook on a Mepps.

Old lures have bronze hooks, if they are rusted they need to be replaced and I'm not sure if you can replace the hook on a Mepps.

A bronze hook should be soft enough to cut the eye with a wire cutter, put a new hook using a split ring.   Many if not most spoons are made of brass which is a copper alloy (so is bronze) it doesn't rust but it can corrode or tarnish.  Metal cleaners will do decent job of cleaning if hey aren't too far gone, toothpaste has an abrasive that works too.

Toothpaste and a toothbrush. Gently scrub.

ketchup will remove tarnish, too.