Aren't they painted? Where do you live that you have to worry about rust?    No rust issues in Cali. Idiot issues yes, but no rust.

Use semi gloss black  Rustolium after a good wire brushing.
With that said, there is not much you can do to stop rust from between the individual leafs other than an occasional spray of WD40.

If you really want to stop/prevent it you would have to disassemble the pack and prep/paint each leaf, then reassemble them.  Over time though they are going to rub together somewhat and take the paint off, and rust again.  Sealing them with something like what Hornman suggested is probably your best option. 

Boiled lint seed oil. It will dry to a flexible thick coating that last for yrs

Nos681 wrote:

Hornman wrote:

Try Fluid Film. Sprays on, sticks, prevents rust. Lanolin based.

Is that similar to Lubriplate cable and chain?
 

No, the Lubriplate Cable and Chain is Calcium Sulfonate suspended in mineral oil. About the same hazards level as spray paint. Their literature states it stays “moist” but will not attract dirt. The Calcium Sulfonate (white grease) must form an outer crust to keep dirt from the mineral oil base.

Fliud Film is lanolin based, does not dry, and will dissolve light rust.

Dan, I use Flex-a-form fiberglasss rear monoleafs, nary a speck of rust.

Tubo