Pelox Stainless Steel Surface Treatment — Quick Reference (German)
Pelox is the German specialist range of stainless steel cleaning + pickling + passivation chemistry — products that fabricators reach for when SS welds need PROPERLY RESTORED (not just wire-brushed). Used in fabrication + food + pharma + maintenance.
| Pelox Product | Function |
|---|---|
| Pelox PI / Pickling Paste | Removes heat tint + scale from SS welds — restores corrosion resistance |
| Pelox PI / Pickling Gel | Vertical/overhead pickling — won't run |
| Pelox Neutralising Rinse | Neutralises pickling acid + removes residue post-treatment |
| Pelox Passivation Spray | Restores chrome-oxide passive layer on SS post-cleaning |
| Pelox Cleaner (General SS) | Routine SS cleaning + maintenance |
| Pelox Polishing Compound | Final SS finish — mirror or satin |
| Application Brush (Acid-Resistant) | Apply pickling paste safely |
| Personal Safety Equipment | Chemical-resistant gloves + face shield mandatory |
Why pickling matters: SS welds generate HEAT TINT (chrome-depleted zone) that LOSES corrosion resistance — wire brushing only removes surface oxide, not the chemically-depleted layer underneath. Pickling chemically removes chrome-depleted zone + exposes fresh SS that re-passivates → restored corrosion resistance. Critical for food + pharma + marine SS welds. Safety: Pickling acids (HF + HNO3) are SEVERE chemical hazards — full PPE + ventilation + neutralising rinse mandatory. Brand: Pelox. Companion: welding, welding safety, cleaning chemicals, respirators.
Pelox Stainless Steel Surface Treatment
Pelox is a German-made specialist range of stainless steel cleaning, pickling, and passivation chemistry — the products that fabricators reach for when stainless welds need to be properly restored, not just wire-brushed. AIMS Industrial supplies the Pelox range to fabrication shops, food and pharma manufacturers, and maintenance teams working with stainless steel where corrosion resistance must be restored after fabrication.
The Pelox range at AIMS
- Pickling pastes and gels — for removing weld discolouration and restoring the passive layer on welded stainless
- Pickling sprays — for treating larger surfaces or complex shapes that pastes can't cover efficiently
- Passivation products — for ensuring full restoration of corrosion resistance after pickling
- Cleaning products — specialist stainless cleaners for ongoing maintenance after surface treatment
Why proper pickling matters
A stainless steel weld looks fine to the eye but the heat-affected zone is corrosion-vulnerable until the chrome oxide passive layer reforms. Wire-brushing the discolouration off doesn't restore that layer — it has to be chemically reformed, which is what pickling and passivation deliver. For food, pharmaceutical, marine, and chemical-process stainless work, pickling is mandatory; for general fabrication, it's the difference between weld zones that rust within months and welds that match the parent metal in service life.
Safety
Pelox products are aggressive acid-based chemistry. Always read the safety data sheet, wear appropriate PPE (chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, splash apron), work in ventilated conditions, and follow the manufacturer's neutralisation and disposal instructions. These are professional products, not over-the-counter cleaners.
Need help selecting the right Pelox grade for your fabrication work? contact our team — we'll match product to application.
People Also Ask — Pelox
Q: Why isn't wire-brushing enough to fix heat tint on a stainless steel weld?
Wire brushing only removes the surface oxide, not the chrome-depleted layer underneath the weld's heat-affected zone. That layer has to be chemically reformed through pickling and passivation, which restores the corrosion resistance that wire brushing alone can't.
Q: What's the difference between Pelox's pickling paste and pickling gel?
The paste suits general application, while the gel is designed for vertical and overhead pickling since it won't run off the work like a paste or liquid might.
Q: What does a Pelox neutralising rinse do?
It neutralises the pickling acid and removes residue from the stainless steel surface after pickling treatment.
Q: When is pickling stainless steel welds mandatory rather than optional?
For food, pharmaceutical, marine, and chemical-process stainless work, pickling is mandatory. For general fabrication it's not mandatory, but it's the difference between weld zones that rust within months and welds that match the parent metal's service life.
Q: What PPE do I need when using Pelox pickling products?
Chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and a splash apron are needed given the acid-based chemistry, along with working in ventilated conditions and following the manufacturer's neutralisation and disposal instructions.