-
If a web search for the answer to your cast iron cookware question has brought you directly to this forum, the information you seek may be covered in one of the many reference topics featured on the main website.
Quick Links: · Main Website · How to Identify Unmarked Pans · All About Cleaning & Seasoning · Reproductions & Counterfeits · Commonly-Used Terms
Cleaning plated pieces after lye bath
- Thread starter JonnyK
- Start date
A lot will depend on the condition of the plating. If it's in good shape under the crud, it won't take much beyond a non-scratching pad of some sort. If it's flaked or worn off in spots, there isn't much you can do but season the bare places along with whatever parts weren't originally plated. I wouldn't try to make seasoning stick to the plated areas, part of the original reason for nickel or chrome was corrosion resistance and making seasoning unnecessary.
A stainless steel Chore Boy shouldn't hurt it, unless you get really crazy on it. I've used one of those coarse Scotch pads on nickel without any apparent problem, too.
My experience has been, for the most part, that the highly-polished plated parts don't really dull down, and the satin or matte finish areas usually only need burnt-on organics cleaned off.
I guess I'm saying if a highly-polished plated finish is compromised enough to look dull, its restoration is probably not within the scope of manual cleaning and polishing.
Maybe post some photos after it comes out of the lye, but before proceeding further.
My experience has been, for the most part, that the highly-polished plated parts don't really dull down, and the satin or matte finish areas usually only need burnt-on organics cleaned off.
I guess I'm saying if a highly-polished plated finish is compromised enough to look dull, its restoration is probably not within the scope of manual cleaning and polishing.
Maybe post some photos after it comes out of the lye, but before proceeding further.