Treating steel lintels

[Jilly]

Some of the steel lintels have red primer, one is grey and rusted. We've painted what is visible with FeO, but cant get to the side under the soffits and where resting on wood. Should I make a fuss and remove the soffits so it can be done? Should they have been bitumened like the corner steel? 

 

Also, I was thinking of covering them with 10mm aerogel where they are exposed, but can only do the insides (unless take the soffits off etc as above) is this a good idea?

Edited June 20, 2021 by Jilly