I have 6 quick dry #2 I found. They are in good shape but rusty. I would like to use them to dry some skunks. What is the best way to do this? Could I sand and use an oil base paint to get a good finish that wouldn't stain the hides?

steel wool them if they are galvanized ,,,,,if they are not galvanizedl,,,,,,throw them in the metal scrap pile

X 2 , after going over them with steel wool you may want to rub them down with a rag with some paste turtle car wax .
This also works well on wood stretchers for bobcats and coyotes yes it will turn then a strange color of white but it won't effect the fur .