Wall hanger trap treatment

Any suggestions to treat some old rusted wall hanger traps? Currently have orange rust that leaves rust all over your hands. I'd like to get that brown smooth rusted look but not powdery orange rust. Any suggestions? Thought about rubbing them down with some oil but thought I'd heck here for suggestions first. Thanks

I think you're on the right track with the oil. Maybe a good work over with a wire brush and then a light coating of oil. Maybe try a small area on the bottom first to see if it gives you the look you want before doing the whole trap.

I dyed and waxed a half-dozen Northwood 1.75's that I retired and they became wall-hangers. Other wall hangers had the smooth rust you mentioned. Never had the powdery orange rust. Maybe tumbled them in some sort of media to knock the loose rust off but not long enough to shine them?

Burnt Cylinder Oil (used motor oil)....Lasts for years, seeps in every nook and cranny, and turns them a semi-dark chocolate color.

that patina-ed look without oil that will stain your walls , BLO boiled linseed oil

it is used on old metal tools and signs to keep the patina look without having rust flaking off or continuing to rust.

I second GCP I power washed a few wall hangers. When dry I then dipped in BLO swung them around a bit outside, then hung to dry. They look great hanging behind the woodstove.

Thanks everyone the suggestions. I'll test them out today