I just clean off the dirt. Battle scars are proof they are getting used. After all, they are "tools". I have a shovel in the garage that digs holes very well. I wash the mud off it too but I have never repainted it so it looks great on the wall of the garage.

I have never polished iron heads but of course if you feel more comfortable doing so I wouldn't discourage it. Its similar to using head covers- I personally don't and actually like the look of iron heads as they age with the minor dings they pick up during that aging period.

I do wipe down/polish my steel shafts with "Never Dull" when I first get a new set of Irons- I'm sure its not neceaaary being a carry over from my experience with older chromed shafts- strangely I only do it before their first use. So go figure!!

I clean them but never "polish" them with any chemicals or products. I do re-fill the paint every winter just to make them look sharp again.