As far as restoring cast iron, I make a lye bath using lye crystals. One pound of lye to 5 gallons water. Soak the pan at a minimum of three days. Then rinse and put in a white vinegar bath to neutralize the lye and work on any rust. Lye removes the seasoning and vinegar removes the rust.
Just be sure to respect the lye bath and avoid any contact with skin or eye.
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