Rustproofing hooks

I got caught in a drizzle and now all my hooks have started to develop a bit of surface rust.  The Moses ones in particular got almost evenly coated in orange dust, despite the gun-metal-like finish.  What would be a best way to rust-proof all this iron without making it oily or greassy?  Some kind of wax coating?  Metal pain wich probably won't last very long?  Phosphoric acid? 

Rust gives character. Leave it. 

At times i've put froglube on all my iron when I knew I was going to be in full conditions for extended periods of time.
true surface corrosion should wipe off no problem and is not an immediate concern, like Mark said, merely adds some character, however I feel you would want to avoid letting it truing to deeper pitting if your going to be in prolonged wet environments time after time.
 
in regards to phosphoric acid, I have used chemical metal bluing (combinations of several acids) to refinish pins that I drilled & grinded the hell out off. ***major note is to neutralized the acidity before your sew new slings onto those suckers.  

I don't own any hooks so take this with a grain of salt, but why not clear coat them with spray paint? Sure it would wear, but it's fast and easy and wouldn't leave residue. 

Skyhooks and talons don't have much contact with the rock, so paint would be reasonably durable there.  Cam hooks on the other hand have a lot of contact and I suspect that paint would peel from them after just a few placements.  Besides that, I can't foresee any problems with metal paint.

Ryan Swanson wrote: Acid?  On steel you wish to prevent rust?  

Try salt water and vinegar in a 50/50 mix

I've always had luck with a stovetop saltwater bath. Just let them sit for a few hours at medium heat.

Mark Hudon wrote: Rust gives character. Leave it. 

I bought some hooks from you and they looked brand new! Do you even climb bro?

Edit: In case sarcasm was lost though text, I am well aware of who Mark Hudon is and was very excited when the hooks came with an old oval stamped MH 

A pin in running water somewhere rusts over years and years.

Surface rust on your pins/hooks kept in a dry place at home matters not one bit. They will outlive your grand-kids.

Harumpfster Boondoggle wrote: A pin in running water somewhere rusts over years and years.

Surface rust on your pins/hooks kept in a dry place at home matters not one bit. They will outlive your grand-kids.

Rust is contagious braj

I haven’t been doing much hook dangling recently but I hope to change that this fall.   

1. ScotchBrite will gently remove the rust. Then coat with oil when they are stored. You can clean off the oil prior to use with many different products.
2. Spray paint was a popular solution too.
3. Blue Wonder works WONDERfully on that type of steel. It'll kill the surface rust and leave a light coating to prevent it from coming back without changing the surface's original look. It works but you'll have to reapply often (after use when they get wet, etc.)

Rusty hooks are like rusty pitons - they make you look bad-ass and bitchin'.  And who doesn't want to look bitchin'?  

Note: carefully inspect the rusted gear of anyone you suspect may be a Big Wall Theorist.  Check the pitons for recent dings and dents from nailing, and inspect the rusty hooks carefully to see that they have actually been used.  Hooks filed to a point look good and work great, but is the point too pointy?  And how abraded is that sling, anyway?  This person could have just left his aid gear out in the rain in an attempt to look bitchin'!