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Removing cloud after cleaning stainless steel weld

I am welding a 2" tube to a 10 ga. plate. Both are stainless steel with a grained finish. To remove the color from the weld I am using a hand held, electric, acidic cleaner on the welds.
It is leaving a cloudy finish around the weld. What do I do to remove the cloud?

Leonard Peterson
- Santa Ana, California, US
2003

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It sounds as though your acidic cleaner is etching your steel. You could try rubbing the affected area with Brasso ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] or a similarly abrasive fluid, although this may affect your grained finish. You could do a trial on a separate piece if you are concerned. This may also be a suitable alternative to your acid cleaner.

John Hetherington
- Montreal
2003

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There is not enough information here to know what you are using.

What acid, what apparatus and voltage, amperage?
We have a number of companies getting a nice polished finish on welds using one of our products with the use of a welder at 110 Amps and 25 Volts.

When done correctly you should get a nice finish. Let us know if we can help.

Lee Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois

2003