Lets say this: would you want a precious metal such as king tut's necklace to be out in the rain with no protection whatsoever? This could end up in controversy.
occasional sharpening, rust prevention, that's about it but most people don't mess with that any more because they are so cheap now.
Water and air in combination will rapidly cause iron to rust.
Electronic rust proofing works, by the fact that iron(steel) ionises to Fe^3+ (The Iron(III) ion). So if you have a substance that ionises more readily than iron, it will 'flood' the system with electrons, so that iron cannot lose electrons as there are too many already in the system. Since iron cannot lose electrons it does NOT oxidise (rust). NB: Ships have Gauss Blocks applied to them in a Graving(Dry) Dock. The Gaus Blocks are made of magnesium, which ionises more readily than Iron(steel). Hence a ships underwater hull is protected from rusting.
Spray W-D 40 directly onto the rust allow to saturate 1 or 2 min. then scrub steel wool (triple ooo.) over the rust. once the the rust is gone spray a rust preventer over the spot or you may repaint it. +++ That will help, especially if you don't want to paint the item; but you can also buy rust-neutralisers that convert and stabilise the oxide to give a more reliable surface for protective over-painting.
Rust on cans of food is typically caused by the reaction of iron in the metal can with oxygen and moisture in the air. Damage to the lacquer coating or enamel lining of the can can accelerate the formation of rust. Ingesting rust from a can can be harmful, so it's important to discard any cans with rust on them.
Naval Jelly.
Some alternatives to WD-40 for lubrication and rust prevention include silicone spray, white lithium grease, and vegetable oil.
occasional sharpening, rust prevention, that's about it but most people don't mess with that any more because they are so cheap now.
Because it damages most of our metal
remove any rust, buy a good quality rust prevention products eastwood.com has some good ones, apply a liberal amount where water can seep in and cause rust.
Zinc is often used as a sacrificial metal on iron.
Mishap Prevention Process Model
Prevention
Metal furniture can rust easily if not properly cared for. To prevent rusting, it is important to keep metal furniture clean and dry, and to apply a protective coating such as paint or a specialized rust-proofing product. Regular maintenance and prevention measures can help extend the lifespan of metal furniture.
The first & most important role is that of prevention.
To use WD-40 effectively for lubrication and rust prevention, first clean the surface to be treated. Then, spray WD-40 directly onto the area and let it sit for a few minutes to penetrate. Wipe off any excess product and reapply as needed. Repeat this process regularly to maintain lubrication and prevent rust.
The most important aspect of prevention involves good handwashing to try to prevent the infant from acquiring the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the first place.