Pickling of Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, when clean and unscratched, resists corrosion well, which is why it is a common choice for home and professional facades and surfaces that are frequently cleaned. With use, however, the chromium oxide finish -- which assists the rust-resistance of stainless steel -- wears away. In these cases, rust can appear on the stainless steel surface. Pickling the surface with an acid solution is the most effective way to remove rust, and in the case of small areas, can be accomplished at home.

Rubbing alcohol
Clean shop rags
Pickling paste
Acid resistant brush
Garden hose
Large basin

Instructions

- 1
  Pour rubbing alcohol on a shop rag and wipe the steel surface well to clean and degrease the area. Allow the alcohol to thoroughly evaporate.
- 2
  Shake the pickling paste bottle well before opening, mixing the contents.
- 3
  Apply a thick layer of pickling paste to the stainless steel surface.
- 4
  Allow the pickling paste to stand until you see the steel surface begin to turn green. The time required depends on the quality of the steel, the climate and the specific brand of pickling paste. Always follow the manufacturer's directions.
- 5
  Reapply pickling paste to areas where the paste may have started to dry out or form brown spots. Brown spots indicate residual dirt or grease not removed by the alcohol.
- 6
  Rinse off the paste using water from your garden hose. Collect the used water in a basin for later disposal -- contact your local sanitation department for toxic waste disposal locations.

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