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Cleaning brown stains on outdoor stainless sculpture

2002

I am a sculptor who installed a stainless steel piece two weeks ago, by the beach in Longport, NJ. The piece already has brown rust on it. It was made of #316 stainless - It had a ground surface which I produced using a zarcon wheel. I think the rust may have been caused by oxidation due to the surface disturbance.

I would like to know how to clean the surface.
Should I use one of the following cleaners?
a. nitrate acid, (need info re: where to buy this and what the dilution should be)
b. Oxalic Acid found in industrial cleaners (i.e. ReverWare stainless cleaner etc.)
Or is there another solution to this problem.

Also please advise me on maintenance for the future of the sculpture. Should I wax the surface, how to clean it etc.

Suzanne Reese Horvitz
Sue Horvitz and Robert Roesch H/R Studio

I believe you need to passivate the stainless. This is a common process for stainless steel. It involves both of the fluids you mention. It usually requires immersion.

Ed Pallanti
- New Haven, Connecticut
2002

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I'd enjoy seeing it. Where is it? As Mr. Pallanti says, it requires passivation. This can be done with nitric acid (which is pretty nasty stuff) or with proprietary citric acid solutions. I suggest contacting Stellar Solutions [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] about the possibility of "washing" the sculpture with the citric acid passivating solution.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002

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I just came across your post on the site asking where the sculpture was located. It is at 29th and the boardwalk in Longport, NJ.

Regards,

Suzanne Reese Horvitz
Sue Horvitz and Robert Roesch H/R Studio
July 30, 2010

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Hi, Sue. I see that you figured it out. It's beautiful!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
July 30, 2010