I got the deal of the year today. I found a bedrock 604 1/2 smooth bottom at an antique store for $15. It has no serious structural damage and no deep pitting.
The problem is that the japanning is a little rough. I'm not even sure it is originally japanning, I think someone might have spray painted over whatever was left. The writing cast into the bed isn't standing as high as it should, so there is probably a few too many layers on it. Also there is black paint all over the brass adjustment knob. Someone might have spray painted it years ago without even disassembling it.
I need some way to remove all this japanning and paint so I can repaint it properly (auto paint?). Something cost effective if possible (some kind of solvent?) I can't really afford a sandblasting setup.
Also it's pretty rusty. On my less valuable planes I would just sand down the metal parts with increasingly finer grades of sandpaper. I'm hesitant to do that on this one, I know antique collectors like the patina... But also I'm pretty sure most people buy bedrocks to use them. Do you think it would be okay or ruin its value? Or does it not even matter since I have to repaint it anyway?
EDIT: Here is a photo. I just finished scrubbing it good to get rid of decades of gunk.