Cleaning off “Japanning”

[Sam P.]

Cleaning this old Wagner waffle iron base and trying to safely clean off the old japanning. I usually use oven cleaner followed by a good molasses soak but that’s not gonna work for this. And suggestions on safe removal?

 

[Doug D.]

Electrolysis seems like the next logical choice. Lye is first choice for polymerized fat removal, molasses for rust.