How to Wash a Weld

Chip away slag from the surface of the weld by chipping the area with a chipping hammer. This will effectively remove the most noticeable imperfections on the weld and provide a much smoother surface. Flick away dust from the area using a cloth.

Use a grinder and attach a wire-wheel attachment to it; a 4-inch wire wheel should be sufficient for a small area such as a weld. Tilt the spinning wire wheel at an angle to the weld bead and drag the wire wheel along the weld bead; remove all signs of imperfections or discoloration.

Use an abrasive scouring pad to remove scuffs that may have been caused during the weld or by previous steps in this article. Be sure to scour while following the grain of how the metal meets the weld bead.

Use a damp, clean cloth to wipe away dust and dirt to ensure your weld is clean.