If you boiled them in lye, it should have gotten rid of the oils. I rinse them well after the lye and hang them outside for a few days. Don't worry about the rust. Go ahead and dye and wax. They will hold the dye better each year. Like many say, the dye isn't necessary, but I still do it. Lye, Dye and Wax for me. I enjoy it and it works for me.