Maybe the rusty steel wool will work better than the fresh stuff. <shrug>

Several decades ago, while in the automotive body repair business (a.k.a. body shop), we used gas torches for various repair tasks (cutting, brazing, etc.). If memory serves me correctly, the rusted areas were very reactive to the flame, meaning that they would almost explode under the extreme heat. It was quite a scrambling experience, accompanied by XXX rated audio, trying to avoid the hot embers flying all over the place.