newbie e-tank help

[CRHoffman]

I made my first attempt at making an e-tank, and using it to clean one of my first pieces. The piece was in the tank for approx 6 hrs. There is a before and after photo, are these typical results? Does it need to go longer? Do I need to use a different process before/after the e-tank? I just envisioned a "cleaner" less blotchy look. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Doug D.]

That appearance seems to be typical of round griddles. You could try to minimize the blotchiness with vinegar and steel wool. EvapoRust, which is safe to use, also has shown to work on this type of stain that seems to resist other methods. In the end, what remains will blend in as seasoning darkens over time.

 

[CRHoffman]

Thank you much. I will put some elbow grease to it, and see what happens. I'm very pleased with the smooth finish, but the blotches were a puzzle.

 

[Doug D.]

Think of those as "scars" where spots of rust once worked on the metal, but have now been removed. Since they're on a polish ground surface rather than an as cast surface, they are more obvious.