A lot of guys just leave it without coating / painting on lots of mechanical things. It gives it character and tells the gawkers "I made this _____ mine".... Those are the men I have a silent respect for.... I have cut up $2,000 Viking Dry suits (commercial diving), Lincoln SA200 welding machines, Welding hoods, new gloves, climbing harnesses and a lot of other equipment to "Make it Mine"... But, that's just me....
If I want to keep bare metal from rusting I will use a rust inhibited primer... Problem solved.
Hobo
A gawker is a person who stares openly at someone or something. After a bad car accident on the highway, gawkers often slow down for a look. To gawk is to gape, stare, or rubberneck without trying to hide the fact that you're doing it.