Tip From Our "How-To-Solder" Class

This is a "Tip" from our recent "How-to-Solder" Class.

This is a recipe for a Pickling solution that will help remove that pink layer from your soldered or annealed brass. There are many variations of this recipe. Remember to wear safety glasses when working with acid and wash from your skin if it does touch it.

MILD
2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide (3%).
1 part water.
2 parts fresh/clean Sparex solution.

STRONG
1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide (3%).
1 Tablespoon fresh/clean Sparex solution.

PROCEDURE:

STEP #1: Pre-pickle the piece in standard Sparex and rinse well. These pickles work best when warm but not hot. All the black oxides should be removed in this step.
STEP #2: Place the Hydrogen Peroxide pickle container in a second bowl of hot water to keep it warm. If possible suspend the piece in the warm pickle or stir it gently with a feather or plastic rod . After a moment bubbles should appear on the piece. Agitate or brush with a feather to clear the bubbles. Remove the piece from the bath every couple of minutes to check the progress. It may take 5-10 minutes. Rinse well.
STEP #3: Use a stiff toothbrush or brass brush to remove residue and rinse.
STEP #4: Pickle again in standard Sparex to remove any remaining grime.
STEP #5: Repeat steps #2, #3 and #4 if necessary.

Kathleen