The invention discloses a surface rust removal device for a petroleum drill rod. Automatic flow-type grinding rust removal for the petroleum drill rod can be achieved, moreover the rust removal effectis good, rapid and thorough rust removal for the petroleum drill rod can be achieved, during rust removal, while a high-speed grinding motor of a grinding rust-removal mechanism rotates at high speed, a swinging driving mechanism drives a swinging seat to swing, then while grinding steel wire bundles swing, a telescopic driving mechanism further drives the grinding steel wire bundles to reciprocate up and down slightly, rapid rust-removal treatment for the drill rod at all angles and in all areas can be guaranteed, and the thorough rust removal is guaranteed. During rust removal, the petroleum drill rod can rotate around the axial direction of the device, and thus, turnover rust removal can be achieved while conveying can be achieved automatically; and during rust removal, the petroleum drill rod can be jacked up and pressed with a pressing beam and a pressing wheel set, driving of a pressing rod driving mechanism is flexible, shifting of pressing down and lifting up of the pressing wheel set can be conveniently achieved, and the operation conveniences are improved.