How to protect rusty iron profiles during storage and how to paint a rusty beam?

[petrho]

I have a number of square profiles that are in storage. They have started to develop surface rust. How should I protect these? Sand with emery cloth and oil with motor oil or? Then I wonder how and with what to paint an untreated HEA steel beam that is a bit rusty?

 

[AndersS]

Rub them with linseed oil if you don't have specific appearance requirements, it is an old method.

 

[PeterStrandberg]

Bring in the iron. You can apply hammer paint directly on rust on the beam.