Pickling Stainless Steel Parts

[nial]

Anyone know an easy way to do this? I made some chain plates, polished them, but now I need to do something to remove the microscopic bits of carbon left by the drills, files, etc. to stop rust forming around the holes. Thanks.
nial

[roverhi]

If you soak them in an acid bath for a short time, it will dissolve the free iron molecules. Believe Nitric Acid works the best but don't quote me on that. If you do a search of this site, think you will find a thread on passivating SS. Seem to remember something about a citrus based product that was supposed to work.

[s/v Jedi]

I would send the parts in to have them electro polished... can't be beat but some cost involved...

ciao!
Nick.

[HopCar]

Suncor Stainless sells a passivating fluid that's citric acid.
Passivating Fluid

I second Nick. Electro polish sure is pretty.

[Reefmagnet]

Should be able to buy pickling paste at a welders or engineering supply which is easier to use then a liquid. Having said that, I'm about to fabricate up a new anchor mount / chainplate myself that will need to be made all shiny so a big thumbs up to the guys that suggested electropolishing, because I had not even considerd this and a quick google shows it is definitely the way to go if not too much $$$

P.s. here is the handy article I found while googling...Stainless Steel - Surface Finishing

[Tristan]

Read this:
Passivation of Stainless Steel Parts: The Recipe for Success : Modern Machine Shop
and this:
How To Passivate Stainless Steel Parts : Modern Machine Shop

T.