I have this big exposed spring on an old Dumore drill. Looks like it is blackened but the inside had a little rust on it. I've cleaned up and repainted the drill and base, and removed the rust from the spring but wondering how best to preserve it. It will rub the column a little when I raise and lower the drill head so I'm hesitant to paint it. How would you handle it? The column is a bare steel rod which is waxed.
Also, these are "before" pics.
Also, these are "before" pics.