Oxalic acid has been identified to be an effective substitute for the mineral acids (HNO3, H2SO4 and HCl) used as the main component in commercial chemical polishing solutions for ferrous alloys. As a result of this replacement, a significant improvement on polishing and deburring of carbon steel surface has been accomplished due to a relatively mild but effective polishing mechanism sustained by oxalic acid. Moreover, the bath-life of such polishing solution is prolonged because the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide can be effectively restrained. Skipping the use of nitric acid also avoids the release of harmful nitrogen dioxide to the environment. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.