"Salt Blast" STX (and STJ)

Clear nail polish works fine. You don't need many coats.
If I ever have any magnets on refrigerator surface, (usually don't) I coat the magnets.

For our condo in Florida I have slowly replaced all the faucets, fixtures and trim with brushed nickel and that seems to hold up well and are pretty much maintenance free.

My brushed nickle in our bathroom started pitting within a year. But a different brand installed at the same time is still going strong in the kitchen. We bought higher end, too. Maybe has to do with the manufacturing process?

Plumbing fixtures, door knobs, some other interior use "metal" finish items other than CHROME are typically clear coated during the manufacturing process. This is why the manufacturer's instructions say never to use harsh chemicals when cleaning them. If the clear coat is compromised the actual metal finish will be attacked. So make sure you don't polish off the clear coat if there is one. Chrome is a metal coating itself over steel so they don't typically clear coat it and we know it doesn't hold up under nasty salty conditions.

The better products carry lifetime finish warranty because of a long lasting clear coat. Cheaper products may have a lower quality, thinner clear coat or none at all. The clear nail polish on uncoated items is also helping achieve the same result. You can also by clear coat in a spray can, it won't be as good as a manufacturer's applied clear coat. The clear nail polish may even be better than the spray can for the small items and easier to apply.

Is it possible to brush rusty metal, cover with nail polish and then paint over it so rust doesn't bleed through?

Bob Vila shares cleaning rust from stainless.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-rust-from-stainless-steel/#.WMWS7IWcFpk

Best to keep your stainless oiled to avoid rust if you can.

If you live near salt air, buy the best quality you can afford if you want your appliances and fixtures to last.

Yikes, nail polish. Can't keep the stuff on my nails without it peeling off ....

Is it possible to brush rusty metal, cover with nail polish and then paint over it so rust doesn't bleed through?

NO

Is it possible to brush rusty metal, cover with nail polish and then paint over it so rust doesn't bleed through?

NO

Your best bet if you want to paint over rusty metal, clean the rust off thoroughly down to bare metal, treat it with an anti-rust agent, paint it with rusty metal primer, then paint over it with paint intended for metal. Some paints not intended for metal can just make the metal rust more.

You can use a small 3/4" metal wire brush attachment for your drill.
Great for removing paint, rust from metal and other surfaces.
Home Depot has them.

Ok. Hoping it was easier and cheaper than everbrite. Oh well. Thanks Sky.