A source of contamination I never thought of!

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I thought my surface area was clean, but! After further examination I realized that the 1 1/2" tube I was working with also had the same oil/grease mill crap on the inside. I suppose the heat from welding boils this and cause it to rise to the surface through the 45 deg angle I cut, and therefore contaminate the weld. Here's a photo that's not so bad but still some muck one the sides of the weld.o.c.d. Attached Images
Reply:Well there you have it!!Its called the "wicking" effect..I have always said you must clean everything you can get to no matter what..Tubing especially!!The inside oils and whatever other crap in there will like a magnet go to the heat and ruin your efforts..everytime.. Clean inside and outside as far as you can get.If not??The results will be obvious... ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Now I know first hand, I guess I did not realize, or think about the crap inside wicking up. Still trying to decide if TIG is the way to go or not. The clean up sucks. But I guess if pretty welds are what you want, it's the way to go. Again any tips on the pic I posted would be fine.Thanks Zap, o.c.d.
Reply:Again any tips on the pic I posted would be fine.
Reply:What´s the best way to clean the inside of a tube? 8S? acetone rag and stick?My Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:I use a acetoned rag and a stick..whatever it takes..But you only need to go in 8" or so from each end.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Yup, cleaning the inside of the tube can be important..... I stand tubing up on end after it has been cut on the band saw to let the coolant drain while I cut other pieces.... and before I use them I clean as far into the tube as I can. Cutting oils, even very diluted, can make a mess out of things._________________Chris
Reply:Good to know to clean it "inside out"!  Figured this one out just the other day.Grind, grind, grind + acetone, and it still looked like hell.Cleaned the interior 1" of the square tubing and much better.ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!