If you have heavy rust a wire wheel tends to burnish/buff the rust and not remove it.
Glass beading or sandblasting is the best method if you have it available to you.
Whatever method you use make sure you get some sort of metal prep and scrub the bare metal with it prior to paint. Use a Scotch brite pad to scrub with, make sure you follow the directions and wear gloves. Metal prep is an acid that destroys the remaining rust prior to painting.
If you can find a primer with a Zinc Chromate base they are the best for rust prevention.
If you can find an old "lazy susan" they work great to slowly spin the wheel on to paint it.
Ken