I started spraying a coat of T-9 Boeshield on my cast iron tops and letting it dry (unwiped). When I am ready to use the tools I just wipe up the residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits.
It can sometimes be a pain in the arse, but I now my cast iron tops will be protected.
When you know you will be in between projects for a while, what, if any, precautions do you take?
(yeah, I want to keep my new saw looking shiny too!)