Cleaning stainless steel

[chunkolini]

I have an order for a pair of tennis players made in this style using stainless steel.

I made this guy years ago and cleaned him using Hydroflouric mix pickle paste. Then found out what a vile substance it is. Is there anything less obnoxious I can use to clean the welds.

 

[eSCHEn]

Are you wanting to keep any particular finish on the steel? Ie is it brushed or mirror polished and you want to keep it or is it just a case of removing the heat tinting?

Small areas I use a bit of scotchbrite and soapy water (thanks Paul).

You can also use citric to remove them. Wire wheels do it as well but make a mess of the surface.

 

[Shox Dr]

2nd for Citric acid.

I cleaned a very dirt, heat stained bikeheads with it, could believe how well they came out. Just about to do the same again.

 

[chunkolini]

I will give that a go, I am planning on scotchbriting the whole thing, probably wil do the bars before putting then together so it will just be cleaning up the welds and removing any oxide.
Might try mixing citric up with wallpaper paste to make a gel.