tips for passing UT's

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any tips for passing UT's on carbon steel? getting ready to up my certs at work, the test is a 10" or 12" flip-flop, cant remember the sch, but its over 1".everyone i talk to at work says its a pain.  the welds are tig root and hot pass then 7018 out. are you guys cleaning your tig wire with anything? (such as scotchbrite or sandpaper); just looking for any useful tips.thanks for your time.
Reply:Whats the added difficulty vs x-ray or bend/visual? If you passed x-ray or bend test previously I don't see their being a problem with UT.
Reply:Hmmm, Shearwave can be a real biotch depending on the tech running it, I've been present at some major league clusters that turned into standoff's two of which ended in another inspection company being hired to x-ray the welds and the Shearwave tech's being proven wrong. Talk about a heaping helping of STFU, it was something to see. Unfortunately some good welders were fired before then though.I've also seen a 7 angle Shearwave set up on girth seams and the data recorded and downloaded into a computer for interpretation, IMO thats the way to go for shearwave.All that said my best results have come with using more amperage, carrying less metal and being careful about how I tie the sides in. And of course keeping it clean.Non fusion is your enemy, Don't worry about the electric bill just turn that machine up. As far as cleaning your wire, I geuss it won't hurt.Based on my previous experience I kind of question using UT for requalification.Good luck