Casting equipment maintenance

[Offday]

Hi, first off, I hope this is the right forum for this question.
Been shooting bp for decades, But... that said, lead casting is a new adventure for me, always used hornady round balls in the past.
I recently acquired a Charleville 1777 replica made by ASM.
So, began my casting adventure.
My question is about cast iron ladles. Melting pots etc.
Currently using a lyman bottom poor ladle with my 20lb lee magnum melter. But I've acquired a couple cast iron pots as well.
Do you folks do any type of maintenance on your cast iron equipment?
Things seem to rust really quickly.
Do I worry about it? I can obviously clean it up, but concerned about oiling the cast iron, and having to degrease before use.
This is all new for me, any tips or tricks to share with a casting newbie?
Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[Carbon 6]

Beeswax, protects and acts as a fluxing agent.
Rub on while pot is still warm enough to melt the wax but not make it smoke.

 

[nhmoose]

Rust floats up when you flux skim and forget.

 

[Rifleman1776]

If kept indoors at normal household temps and humidity there should be no problem. But, if you live someplace like New Orleans protection is needed. My Lyman pot simply rusted away when kept in a humid storage unit. For protection I will spray my iron/steel moulds, pots, etc. with Midway Rust Gard. It is inexpensive and will last years. For my guns I use the more expensive Barricade. You can just start melting and casting with the Rust Gard on the tools, it will smoke away.

 

[Griz44Mag]

When I am done casting I hit the exposed inside of my equipment with some spray on oil, Kroil, WD, Pam, does not matter what. Next time you fire up the pot it will smoke off. No issue - unless you are melting lead on the old lady's rangetop. Just don't leave it bare metal, it will rust.