Since most of the people that ask questions on this forum never come back for the answers, I thought I'd be the exception to the rule and do some follow-up.
I bought some Stoneware Stain Remover from the Maine Stoneware Man, who sells on E-Bay. This was on the recommendation of a member of the Red Wing Society, who has tried the product himself.
Yes, I know photos would be nice, but take it from me: this was only about drips on the outside of a crock. I literally tried everything I could think of with no results. I asked my friends here at antique.shop.com, and all of those suggestions amounted to nil. Nobody's fault, this was just simply beyond ordinary cleaners and elbow grease.
Apparently this stoneware cleaner is a proprietary formula, and all I can tell you is that contains acid. You'll need rubber gloves and a dust mask.
Long story short: After four baths and some scrubbing, the crock looks new. I hate to sound like a commercial, but this stuff is near-miraculous. If you've got vintage or antique crocks stained with minerals, rust, calcium, or the like then you need this if you care about their value and how they look.
'Nuff said.
