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Pickling: cleaning oxides after soldering or annealing

· Updated · 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Pickling: cleaning oxides after soldering or annealing

After heating, metal is covered with oxide and flux residue. The pickle bath dissolves them and leaves clean metal.

Steps of the technique: Let it cool, Immerse, Wait, Remove, Neutralize, Rinse and dry
Summary of the steps

How it is done #

  1. After soldering or annealing, let the piece cool a little and lower it into the bath with copper or plastic tweezers.
  2. Wait a few minutes (faster if the bath is warm).
  3. Take the piece out, neutralize it in water with baking soda and rinse well.

Products #

Sodium bisulfate (granules), citric acid (milder) and dilute sulfuric acid in professional workshops. Used in a glass or ceramic container with a lid.

Precautions #

Do not put steel tweezers in the bath: they deposit copper on the piece. Protect hands and eyes and ventilate.

When not to #

Do not pickle pieces with sensitive stones, pearls or enamel without checking first.

Step by step #

  1. Let it cool. A moment after the flame.
  2. Immerse. With copper or plastic tweezers.
  3. Wait. A few minutes; with a warm bath, less.
  4. Remove. Take the piece out.
  5. Neutralize. In water with baking soda.
  6. Rinse and dry. With clean water.

Tools and materials #

  • Sodium bisulfate or citric acid
  • Glass or ceramic container with a lid
  • Copper or plastic tweezers
  • Baking soda

Common mistakes #

  • Putting steel tweezers in the bath.
  • Pickling pieces with sensitive stones.
  • Using a dirty bath.
  • Storing it uncovered.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.