Guides & Resources
Practical, technical guides on stainless steel passivation, pickling, weld cleaning, and corrosion resistance — from a manufacturer that's made these products for over 50 years.
How to Remove Heat Tint & Weld Discoloration from Stainless Steel
Heat tint after welding stainless steel weakens corrosion resistance. Learn what causes weld discoloration and the fastest, safest ways to remove it and re-passivate.
6 min read
The Complete Guide to Stainless Steel Passivation
What passivation is, why stainless steel needs it, the ASTM A967 methods (nitric, citric, and fluoride), and how to test the result. A practical guide.
8 min read
Pickling vs. Passivation: What's the Difference?
Pickling and passivation are not the same thing. Learn what each does to stainless steel, when you need one or both, and how to choose the right treatment.
5 min read
How to Passivate Stainless Steel Welds (Step-by-Step)
A step-by-step guide to passivating stainless steel welds: clean, pickle off heat tint, passivate, rinse, and verify with a copper sulfate test. ASTM A380/A967.
8 min read
Citric Acid vs. Nitric Acid vs. Pickling: Stainless Passivation Methods Compared
Citric, nitric, and pickling compared for stainless steel: what each removes, speed, safety, waste, and equipment. Only pickling removes weld heat tint & scale.
8 min read
Electropolishing vs. Pickling & Passivation: Which Does Your Part Need?
Electropolishing vs. chemical pickling & passivation for stainless steel: how they differ on equipment, cost, finish, geometry, heat tint, and field work.
8 min read
Why Does Stainless Steel Rust? Free Iron, Heat Tint & the Passive Layer
Stainless steel can and does rust. Learn how the chromium-oxide passive layer protects it, the real causes — free iron, heat tint, chlorides — and the fix.
8 min read
ASTM A967 & A380 Explained: Stainless Passivation Standards
A plain-English guide to ASTM A967 and A380 for stainless steel: what each standard covers, how passivation practice differs from specification, and how to verify.
8 min read
Passivation for Medical & Surgical Stainless Steel Instruments
Why medical and surgical stainless steel needs passivation: free-iron removal, corrosion resistance, and cleanliness per ASTM A967, A380, and F86 practice.
8 min read
Passivation for Food & Dairy Stainless Steel Equipment
Why food, dairy & beverage stainless needs pickling and passivation: cleaning welds and heat tint on tanks, piping & CIP systems, and verifying iron removal.
8 min read
How to Clean Stainless Steel After Welding
A practical guide to cleaning stainless steel after welding: what welding leaves behind, why it rusts, and the mechanical, electrochemical, and chemical options.
8 min read
Pickling Gel vs. Paste vs. Liquid: Which Derustit Product to Use
Gel, paste, or liquid? A buyer's guide to the Derustit line — match your stainless steel job to Wonder Gel, SS-3 Liquid, SS-3 Paste, Brightner or Metal Cleaner.
8 min read