your 2¢ counts, vote for 1 .. ...

1.) would you leave the rack "as is"

2.) or would you "powder coat rack"

Wow I think we need a recount--or a run off vote- or something! LOL!
Fill it with cans as found and lets vote again.

I thought the vote was over when I posted this,my bad. Think its lack of sleep.

I just posted pix of my Fry pump on which I used linseed oil to preserve and protect, arresting further oxidation without risking yellowing and cracking. Satisfied with result. They are only original once.

I bought this rack with the intention of powder coating it
upon review of this poll (your vote counted) & other collector's 2¢ -
I've decided too leave as is- you look at this patina & it kinda
grows on you, if it could only talk I bet you would hear some good stories .. ...

its only original once .

It seems to me that the phrase "leaving it as it is" implies taking no action. If that is the plan, I believe the rust will continue eating away at a fine rack until it is lost forever. I believe you need to take some action to preserve this item - neutralizing the rust and sealing it to prevent future rust development or powdercoating. I personally prefer to see restored items as they remind me of how I remember things from when I was young. Some people prefer the patina look - I guess they like to remember things as they found them. But I believe going the patina route without stopping the progression of rust will lead to the end of this hobby.

From what I have seen from Randy He's smarter than that. I'm sure he's already killed the surface rust. " it's only original once"

There was no intended insult in my post. If I offended the OP, I apologize. The point of the post was to help novices, such as myself. I have read repeatedly on here where people speak of leaving things as they are and never say anything about neutralizing or arresting rust. A novice reader could, by such remarks, be led to taking no action and then have a multi-hundred dollar item continue to deteriorate till it is not worth showing. How does linseed oil work to stop rust? What other techniques work for those wanting to preserve patina - rust reformer? vinegar followed by clear enamel?

The paint and litho printing are all oil based. Apply WD40 and feed them. It will neutralize the rust and preserve the original coatings. I apply this to my old originals every six months and they still look great to my eye.