Electrolysis Bath for Porcelain

[John Knapp]

I have a few porcelain skillets that I would like to see in better shape.  Has anyone put porcelain in an electrolysys bath.   If so, has there been any adverse reactions?...Any input would be appreciated.
John

[Troy_Hockensmith]

John,
Here a link that talks about platings. I don't know if it helps much.


What about nickle plating, paint, japanning and the like?
      Sound plating will not be affected. Plating under which rust has penetrated will usually be lifted. The solution is likely to soften most paints.Test with a drop of solution in an inconspicuous place. Remove wood handles if possible before treating.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

I would assume it would be the same for porcelain but don't know for sure.

[Baggsy]

I tried it on a white enamelware plate with a red rim that was discolored and in pretty rough shape.  It didn't do anything for the finish but it made the chips come out shiny and bright.  While it didn't harm the finish any, it didn't make it any better either.  But I only ran it a couple hours...you might try it and let us know if you have good results.  But I'm thinking some kind of buffing wheel with rouge or tripoli on it is about all that is gonna shine it back up...

[Jerry Cermack]

Some of the rubbing compounds, especially ones for polishing marble, will help, but I havent found anything that will take discoloration out of porcelain enamel.

[Steve_Stephens]

I havent found anything that will take discoloration out of porcelain enamel.

What about bleach with a little detergent added?  That should remove stains I would think.
Steve

[Jerry Cermack]

I've tried it on several and had no luck.  If anyone finds something that will remove cooking stains inside an enamel skillet, I hope they speak up.  

[John Knapp]

I have used straight bleach on the inside of the skillets and it does make them cleaner but so far it doesnt return it to a 'pristine' condition.
John

[Edd_Roberts]

A late comment for this thread.  though a little off the subject of stains,  I just removed  a heavy buildup of carbonized grease from a Le Creuset #20  handled pot which apparently had been used as a deep fryer.

The method that worked amazingly well was fuming the piece with ammonia like you'd use to clean your charcoal grill.  You simply put a base of some sort in the bottom of a   tight-lidded container large enough to accomodate the piece with room to spare all around. set the piece on the base which will keep it off the bottom of the container.   Pour a few cups of regular household ammonia into the bottom of the container and  put the tight fitting lid on.  

 The ammonia  fumes in the enclosed space broke up the carbonized grease overnight and I was able to flake it all off of the porcelain with a plastic egg turner.  It surprised me because I had tried soaking the pot in different solutions with no luck before remembering that old method for cleaning grills.

[Jerry Cermack]

Edd,
Got any idea what that ammonia would do to aluminum?

[Edd_Roberts]

Ammonia has a bad effect on aluminum with direct contact.  I've never tried fuming any aluminum cookware but it's easy to imagine that the effect might be the same as direct application of ammonia.  To be safe, I wouldn't try it.

 I've had pretty good results in soaking off old, dark grunge from cast aluminum by soaking in a solution of Tide liquid detergent, hot water and chlorine bleach.  The soaking process is usually pretty slow, but I haven't damaged any aluminum by this method.

[Greg Stahl]

Jerry,
After some comments from Steve about walnut hulls and blasting, I've been looking to buy a setup and try that with aluminum.  It may be the answer for cleaning aluminum.  To bad it's going to cost me around $500 to try it, but it is another excuse to buy more toys, errr tools I mean.

[Steve_Stephens]

Greg,
You can quit Harvard and set up for full time iron restoration and cleaning...doing what you love to do best.  No more writing grants, politics, etc.

If you want to see a great article on blasting and blasting media it appeared in a recent Porsche Club publication.  The writer was very experienced in blasting aluminum and magnesium and made some good points on why to use which medium.  I don't have the mag but could get the number of the issue or, possibly, a copy of the article.  The author even talked about cleaning with one media and then using another for finish up with so it would leave the surface grain "closed" so that no dirt would get into the surface of the casting so it would stay cleaner longer.  He talks about using new glass beads for some blasting and used glass beads for other blasting.  The result is different and new beads get used (broken, sharp particles) fast.   I think the new beads were specified to finish a casting as that would tend to peen the surface and close up any pores.  He even had a table for different media and when to use what and at what pressures.
Steve

[Greg Stahl]

Steve,
that sounds good to me but the problem would be that I couldn't make enough to send the twins through college ;D  

I told Joel when I visited him in NYC that I'm hoping that my five patents come through and I get financially secure, as I'd quit what I'm currently doing and setup full time researching these old foundries and putting together a real good database for the info, as well as write a few books.  Wouldn't that be fun!

Also, forgot to tell you that Dave Smith says we can use the info in KnC and place it in the Foundry list and to also ad the other Shepard foundry in that article he wrote about in KnC.

I've also asked to have a special Sunday morning "brain storming" session for those that want to "get their hands" into WAGS and put together the next aspect of WAGS.  I can fill folks in at Sidney about what else we have planned but it should be fun!

[Jerry Cermack]

I wish my case tumbler was big enough to hold cast aluminum cookware.   :D :D :D  I use walnut hull in it to clean and polish my brass

Has anyone tried an automotive aluminum wheel cleaner?