Stepman

If you are worried about rust, once you fiinish cleaning it, rub some oil on it. I am lazy these days for cleaning something with so many little "corners". Whenn I did my motor, I dropped the intake off at the machine shop with everything else. They will throw it in the "hot tank" for like $15....drop it off in the morning, go off and do something else and pick it up in the afternoon. $15 well spent i my book.

TexasAxMan

It will continue to show back up until it is coated. For the bottom side, just use oil or WD40. You could also spray some phosphoric acid on it, then it will turn black and be good metal. On the top, after cleaning dry it well (you can use a hair dryer) and put some primer or go ahead and paint it.