Almost all SS is cleaned with acid at some point. When they make SS parts they make certain they get all the acid off (at least for high quality parts) This can get complicated like rinse - soak - rinse - .... while monitoring the pH to make certain there is no acid left. It is one thing to clean a flat plate. Cleaning a SS cable is entirely different. Acid wicks into cracks and between strands at 100% concentration and it has to diffuse out. A slow process involving many water changes.
I realize this is old topic, But I believe it's quite easy to neutralize the acid by simply soaking the (whatever) in water and baking soda.
