Thread: Proper way to apply pickle s/steel tig welds.

Check the MDS but generally not while really hot. You'd steel brush it while really hot, wait until it's cooled down then apply the gel. Different products have different procedures and times to leave the gel on. Same with rinsing it off and neutralizing and disposing of the waste water. Don't pour it down the drain.

Make sure you got your protective gear on. It's very strong acid that you don't want to splash onto yourself.

Thanks mate.
I normally just clean the job with a s/s brush but I'm making some rod holders for a boat in polished s/s and the brush scratches the crap out of the job.
That's why I thought I'd use the pickle and hope it does a good job cleaning the weld.
I used to use the pickle years ago and never got a really good job,I'm hoping they have improved since then.

We use 'Chromebright' at work, the result isn't 'chrome bright' more of a dull matt. Put it on hot and it works super fast, but fumes like crazy and they aren't pleasant. Put it on cold and it can take a while. If you do get it on your skin wash it off, it starts to burn after a few seconds so you'll know its there. If you need a pretty finish we often clean up a weld with a scotchbrite pad and some autosol which seems to do a pretty decent job

Thanks for that mate.
I'll speak to my local welding supplier and see if he has the same stuff.
When you say you give it a polish with scotch bright is that by hand or a electric buffer.

By hand if it is with autosol, otherwise on a scotchbrite belt on the linisher.