Letter 39065

Removal of discoloration on stainless steel caused by plasma cutting [New Jersey] 

January 18, 2006

I cut stainless steel with a plasma cutter resulting in some burned edges which resembled rings of oil on water. How can this be removed without changing the surface of the stainless steel.

Sherman C. Ward Jr.
Artist/Sculptor - Haddonfield, NJ

Where can I find any responses to my question?

Sherman C. Ward Jr.
N/A - Haddonfield, NJ, USA

Ed. note: Hello, Sherman. Sorry for any misunderstanding. This is not a consulting service, it's a monitored public forum. If anyone replies to your question, their reply will be posted right here.

Muriatic Acid [link is to product info at Amazon] would be the conventional way to remove heat scale. However this will slightly dull the overall finish and require thorough rinsing and neutralizing with a dilute caustic soda immediately after applying and then a thorough water rinse. After that restoring the original finish would require some type of mechanical finishing process.

I'm sorry this is not the answer you are looking. Very rarely will you find an easy one step process to metal finishing.
Good luck Frank

Francis DeGuire
Triangle Plating Co - St.Louis, MO, USA

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

My company is a supporting advertiser at finishing.com and we want the contact information to reach the inquirer privately.

 

I want to post a new question or inquiry of my own on a different subject.