Degrease your plate with vinegar and whiting, using a felt pad to create a paste and then rinsing it clean with water. Dry immediately with a paper towel and don’t touch the degreased face with your fingers after because they’ll grease it up again. When the plate is degreased it should be shiny and the water will “sheet” on it, as opposed to beading up. [Note: traditionalists will point out that ammonia/whiting/distilled water is a more powerful degreaser. True enough, but lord knows we have no ventilation in there and this has been working fine.]
