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Remove galvanize from electric fence wire and preventing rust

Unlike commercially available filler rod it has very low tensile properties (similar to the body panels) so it can be easily be hammered/formed. It is available as 17 GA which is closer to the panel thickness than the commercially available filler rod and it's cheap. The problem is, it's galvanized. The welding fumes are not healthy.

I've read that to remove galvanize, one should dip the piece in muriatic acid ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . I've also read that to prevent rust after using muriatic acid, one should rinse with water, and dip the piece in phosphoric acid.

I'm wanting more detail for this process, i.e. what concentration of muriatic acid and phosphoric acid, how much soak-time, and what indication do I look for that tells me all the galvanize has been removed?

Thanks,

Mike Campbell
- Norman, Oklahoma
2005