The Navy is expert at dealing with rust on ships. Rust on ships is easy -- use sacrificial anodes or paint it. Don't forget to replace SA's periodically. There is no requirement that it look pretty, only that it function on a practical level. If I send out my boatswain's mates to paint this thing in anti-rust anti-sea-growth red, the artist will give my name to a hit-man, though he'll be lucky to get to me before the Admiral does.
The Navy is substantially less skilled at anti-rusting art. Art and the Navy have never had a good friendly working relationship. Try to think of the last time you saw an artistic looking Navy ship. Nobody told the artist his work was being placed outside until long after he had donated the thing. They just autonomously made that decision. I was the guy who called him and told him he had a park. That news came as a complete surprise to him. "A park? You mean like outside? Are you serious?" he said. "Why didn't anyone tell me?" Heck, man, I don't know, I just got tasked with building the d*** park for your effin' modern art POS creation thing. It never occurred to anyone making the park decision that a metal sculpture might rust. It also never occurred to the artist that a 6 foot tall tree-eagle monstrosity might be placed outside. Sounds to me like a lot of stupidity and false expectations on both sides, and all I'm tryin' to do is make everyone happy, d***it.
Ok, I'm done ranting.
I feel much better now.
So Island, any idea how that bridge was rust-passivated? Know of anyplace that does any kind of plating? I don't even know where to begin looking.
Gold plating, btw, while cool looking, is probably going to get me in trouble. I can see myself standing tall before the Admiral already: "Yes, sir, I know there's a war on, and that the budget is tight, but I really thought that gold plating would look neat."
What fun...