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Author Topic: Help to identify age & value  (Read 6267 times)

Offline John Opilla

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Help to identify age & value
« on: January 30, 2017, 04:32:41 PM »
Hi,  This is my first post and wanted to share and ask about my recent findings.  Please review the pics.

The first is a square Griswold.  I cleaned it using electrolysis (pics will come later tonight).  But I will tell you that I'm not too happy what it looks like since I cleaned it.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 04:58:22 PM by lillyc »
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2017, 04:59:19 PM »
Hello John.  You will need to try to upload your pictures as individual .jpegs please. :)

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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2017, 05:05:02 PM »
Ok, I'll try again this evening.
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2017, 06:20:11 PM »
Here is another try
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2017, 06:21:21 PM »
In the last picture, Is it possible to remove the black spots?
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2017, 06:45:30 PM »
John, thanks for the second effort! :)

You have a Wagner produced Griswold Skillet, which were introduced in 1961, in two sizes.

Yes, with proper stripping and cleaning, the black marks should be able to be removed (in most cases) :)

I recommend a Lye Bath or lye based oven cleaner, and then derusting before re- seasoning. 

Check our Cleaning and Restoration board.  (no scrapers or razor blades pleez).   :)
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 06:47:15 PM by lillyc »
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2017, 07:03:48 PM »
Cheryl thanks for the feedback.  I promise no more razor blades. [ch128521]
I've never used lye but I'll look into getting some and give it a try.
What's it worth?
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2017, 07:14:49 PM »
I'd say that average Newer Wagner/Griswold pieces are going in the $15 - $25 dollar range for those folks looking for a nice everyday user.  JMO... :)
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Offline Ray Diaz

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2017, 12:45:09 AM »
Cheryl I was wondering why everyone recommends lye?  I have used Arm and Hammer Baking Soap and it works well.  Would I be happier with Lye? My electrolysis bath does take quite a while but I just thought that was the nature of the beast. Thanks for any tips you might be able to give me.
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2017, 01:43:26 AM »
Ray, a lye bath and electrolysis are two different processes (steps).

I have lye baths which are sodium hydroxide (Lye) mixture for stripping all old seasoning and oils and 'gunk'. 

I then use Electrolysis for derusting.  The electrolysis solution should always be Arm & Hammer WASHING soda (sodium carbonate), NOT Baking Soda (sodium bi-carbonate) which is Different.

Some folks use Electrolysis to do everything. I prefer to do two steps to keep my electros running "clean and mean", with less wear and tear on my electrodes and connections. :)
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2017, 01:48:02 AM »
There are many 'variables' with electrolysis... 

The Solution in the tank and the Battery Charger output in Amps are the top two culprits if an electro is taking a long time to clean a piece.

Second is the Size of the Electrodes and the Connectors carrying the current flow.

:)
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Offline Russell Ware

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2017, 08:26:37 AM »
If you are not happy with your electrolysis results, please start another thread with photos of your specific setup. We might be able to offer a critique that will bring you better results.
As Cheryl states, the best routine for cleaning is to have a lye bath to remove all the crud, then use electrolysis to de-rust the piece. A really cruddy piece of cast iron will generally clean up quicker in a lye bath than zapping it for days in an electro bath.
Lye is for crud, electro is for rust.
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Offline Claudia Killebrew

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2017, 01:07:46 PM »
Remember Ray, if you only have one or two pieces to clean, you don't have to set up a whole lye bath. You can use EZ Off oven cleaner (yellow cap) to do the job. Just spray it heavily, put it in a garbage bag for a few days or so and scrub in cold water. It may need another go-round in the bag with more spray, but it will clean it. Use precautions like gloves though, remember it IS lye.
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Offline Adam Hoagland

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2017, 05:06:51 PM »
[size=12]I do more or less what Claudia is talking about, although it always requires several applications to clean a piece, and 8 hours between applications is plenty of time for it to do whatever it's going to.  I do it to avoid clean-up issues and for space reasons.  I'm not a dealer, so I don't have volumes to process, and I can afford to take my time.  Personally, when it comes to rust, I use fine grade steel wool, which any hardware store should sell.  A lot of people on here don't want to use any abrasives of any kind, so I may be in the minority.  I haven't had scratching issues with it, nor have I seen it discoloring nor coating the iron.  Avoid brass.[/size]
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Offline Donna Manion

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2017, 12:47:09 AM »
Ray, I like to use a Magic Eraser and cold water as a last step.  Don't know if others here use them, but I've been surprised how much comes off when I thought the piece was clean.  I'm new at this, though, and hesitate to chime in....
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2017, 11:17:48 AM »
I have read the MSDS for the magic eraser, and decided not to use it on my iron.   

During final scrub down, and while wet, any CI will continue to shed 'carbon'. That is the dark stuff you see.  It's not "dirt" or old gunk. (especially if one follows the protocol that I utilize. ) 

Drying thoroughly will show that, once dry, the color 'shedding' stops.

The person who invented that out in FB Land... well... let's just say we will agree to disagree.    ;)  (Kinda like The Flax Oil junk science thing... ) :)
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Offline Donna Manion

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #16 on: February 02, 2017, 02:33:44 AM »
Cheryl, what is the MSDS for Magic Eraser you referenced?  I'd like to read it.
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Offline Jeff McGrady

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #17 on: February 02, 2017, 10:57:57 AM »
I will attempt to put up a link to the MSDS .pdf Proctor and Gamble makes available on their site....

<a href="https://www.pg.com/productsafety/sds/SDS_2015/Mr.%20Clean%20Magic%20Eraser.pdf" target="_blank">P&G Magic Eraser</a>


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Offline Donna Manion

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #18 on: February 03, 2017, 03:39:25 AM »
Thanks for the link, Cheryl.  I read the material...however, there was nothing I saw that alarmed me.  I'm curious as to your take on it if you care to elaborate.     :)
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Offline Tom Neitzel

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Re: Help to identify age & value
« Reply #19 on: February 03, 2017, 08:26:08 AM »
Here's a link to a little more discussion.  I'm not sure that there is anything to hurt the iron, but I suppose there is a small chance of it irritating the user.

https://www.wired.com/2015/09/whats-inside-mr-clean-magic-eraser/

The microfine abrasive might be better than 0000 steel wool, but I don't see any reason to go out and buy it.

tom
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