[morzh]

Bough Naval Jelly in Home Depot, the tube cleaned up pretty well, then I used the black enamel for my range top to paint it.
I am sure the paint job will not look pro but as long as it is protects the tube that's what matters.
And the odour is minimal.

Brenda, thanks for the advice. Never used that stuff before.

PS. The color of it (pepto-bismol) and the smell may actually make someone taste it. Though thinking of it, it is corrosive but not really toxic.