Granted, no, I don't want my $2,000 exercise entertainment center to show up visibly rusting to pieces, but as a mechanical engineer who works a lot with weathering steels (like Corten), and steels of all kinds that rust more or less, all the scare quotes in this article around "rust converter" and "cosmetic oxidation" are so over the top it's comical!

Rust conversion/"reformation" is a common chemical process that does exactly what it says - it turns iron oxide into a more stable composition to protect the underlying steel. Cosmetic oxidation is also a known and normal engineering thing - it's EVERYWHERE in architectural cladding, planter boxes, etc.

I understand Peloton's being pummeled in the press recently for the old (and new) CEO, and this is a continuing hit piece, but I can only imagine the furor if Peloton had decided to scrap/trash all those frames instead of applying a completely normal and minor metal finishing touchup.

Tip for anyone who's disturbed by rust: don't look too closely anywhere under your car, or within your appliances. You might witness some cosmetic oxidation! The horror!