Greetings, I recently got an old rusty #63 spokeshave on eBay. Used electrolysis to get off the thick rust. (I knew it was a beater when I bought it.)
T'other day I was adjusting the depth of cut when the japanning stripped off the 'lever cap'. Scratched with a fingernail, and it all came off that piece. Red rust underneath. No prob, back in the pot and Bob's your uncle.
Reason I posted is to gather opinions on this event. Do you suppose that wasn't Japanning, but enamel somebody sprayed on? Did my electrolysis lift the coat enough for water to creep in? The body's Japanning is beat up, but solidly attached where it remains.