Is this salvageable without a full strip down?

[Beebo]

This is the top tube of a nice cro mo frame, with welded metal clips to hold the cables. The clip points have rusted badly, spreading to the paint on the frame. What are my option?

 

[sleuthey]

What are my option?

Leave it as it is and ride it.

 

[GeekDadZoid]

Mask it off, sand / wire brush and then either spray a patch of the best match you can get?

Other option is to stick some rust converter on but most require the loose / bubbly bits to be sanded down.

 

[Landsurfer]

Gently and throughly remove all the corrosion product, chemically treat, paint ... black never looks out of place in the middle of a frame tube .... but kill that rust right away.

 

[fossyant]

Get rid of it (the rust). Sand, and maybe dremmel with a fine wire brush and rust treat and paint.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

As others have said get rid of all that corrosion. Sand, dremmel, wire brush whatever you can use.
I think the main issue will be getting a paint match afterwards, especially if it's around all of them, may end up looking a bit patchy.

 

[MichaelW2]

On an old bike or daily rider I might brush away the rust and wipe down with an oily rag.
If Im feeling energetic I slap on some Hammerite paint.
Getting a good colour match and finish takes time and is only worthwhile on Sunday Best bikes.