Acetone works well too... but the NON chlorinated brake clean is cheap and hand in a spray can... Just be certain it is NON chlorinated! There's a sticky in the welding thread about this.
When we say CLEAN --- it's means free of mill scale... so in other words if it's mild steel -- use a 3M disc etc to get down to bare metal. I used to do this on aluminum as well - but now just clean it with non chlorinated brake cleaner and with the A/C of the TIG it cleans the oxide off as you go. Doesn't hurt to hit it with the 3M disc or similar method. But if you're going to polish the piece then you don't want that deep scratch.
STAINLESS STEEL --- I hit with a Fine SS wire brush (like a toothbrush sized version) to clean the oxide off of it - all sides to be welded.... as well as degrease. If it's a bigger job - then I use a new 3M disc... because it's faster and easier. You just need to clean off the edge back even a half inch to an inch. Just don't forget to clean both sides of all pieces - and the edges too if they're not fresh cuts.
I don't know -- anyone else have anything to add????? Any particular methods??
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