# Pickling: cleaning oxides after soldering or annealing

> Pickling immerses the piece in a mild acid bath to remove oxides and flux residue; products, precautions and neutralizing.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/pickling-metal/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-04
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/decapado-del-metal/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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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](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/decapado-steps.en.svg "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

- [Soldering for jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-soldering/)
- [Annealing: how to soften metal](https://www.711grados.com/en/annealing-metal/)