>>1932971>Cork could backfire if it ever gets to moist but it's simple (and ugly).Eh. I usually use corks. Quill stems whick moisture into themselves anyway. There's a small gap between the stem body and the head tube which water goes into. Most of the cap/bolt designs let water in too.
Corks are also pretty damn water resistant for obvious reasons.
>>1932949The stock item would have been a plastic cap.
You take down that rust with aluminium foil and wd40 or a scotch pad if you want to scuff the finish. Then it's about what you treat it with to avoid more rusting. The oil in wd40 is enough but you can go further and rub it with a better oil or rub it with a rust converter. The typical logic of sanding it back and repainting is not applicable. Those stems are beefy. The rust is only a cosmetic issue. You do not want to have to fully refinish it.
sorry i realize i am too late and your bottle cap is kinda charming.
