Here’s to another fine cleaning mess I’ve gotten myself into

[Russell Ware]

I recently came into possession of all four chainlink handle Wilton Armetale skillets. Someone even used them for their intended purpose too - cooking. They need serious attention. Can’t use electrolysis, can’t use lye. These are going to be fun, that’s for sure, and that’s no lie.
Them handles look like they will need a whole lot of polishing.

Hopefully these won’t take as long as the spray painted #8 favorite waffle iron with wooden handles I restored many moons ago in this thread: http://www.griswoldandwagner.com/forum/index.php?topic=6984.msg63203#msg63203

[Duke Gilleland]

Russell, Might look tough but...you do have them in your possession. So your glass is HALF FULL! You might try Dawn Professional Power Dissolver.   https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-PGC56037-Dissolver-Liquid-Trigger/dp/B073WDD4MT
It has been my "go to" with aluminum in the past. I have found aluminum is not near as forgiving as cast iron. Good Luck and Patience.

[Russell Ware]

Thanks for the tip Duke. I'll need all the help I can get on these four.

[Cheryl Watson]

Russell, what is the metal blend comprising Armetele? 

[Russell Ware]

It is proprietary, and Wilton is not telling. So unless you happen to have an inductively coupled plasma argon gas spectrometer available, the world may never know. Kinda like the number of licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

[Cheryl Watson]

I would be tempted to experiment with a little Oxalic Acid...   

[Russell Ware]

The example of the Columbia Pennsylvania Packet I posted lists the kind of cleaners that can damage Armetale. Being as it is mostly aluminum, I assume caustics will damage it more quickly than acids. I was thinking about starting these skillets in a warm bath of tartaric acid.

[Cheryl Watson]

The example of the Columbia Pennsylvania Packet I posted lists the kind of cleaners that can damage Armetale. Being as it is mostly aluminum, I assume caustics will damage it more quickly than acids. I was thinking about starting these skillets in a warm bath of tartaric acid.

I suspected an aluminum component...

Oxalic Acid was recommended by Aluminum Cookware producers, including Griswold and Wearever.  I use it on all of my Aluminum pieces, with phenomenal results! (mostly Wagner Aluminum)

[Russell Ware]

Well, it's been about a year and a half, but here are the 4 skillets cleaned and polished. I started with Dawn Platinum Powerwash and #0 steel wool; since, there were both organic residue and plenty of oxide from use. Then I finished with Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish and #000 steel wool. Now all I have to do is edit the video I took.

[Duke Gilleland]

Job well done!

[Sandy Glenn]

Your hard work paid off Russell, they're beautiful! 

Eye candy for sure!!

[Lee Bowen]

Excellent job, Russell.   

[Jim Glatthaar]

Excellent work, Russell, they really came out great!