My garage project turned gray and sticky with that vinegar trick. Avery_ross is right about wiping it down, but the acid can still eat through soft woods. I'd suggest testing on scrap wood first before posting tips online.

Honestly I used to think all that waiting was a waste of time. But now I get it, the whole weird process is the actual point.

Wait Catan's worse than Brooke's frenemies thing?

Oh man, tell me about it. I spent an hour yesterday tweaking the alignment on a simple lap joint, using every clamp I own. The whole time I'm nudging it half a millimeter, checking with a square, nudging it back. Then finally, when it's perfect, I zip the weld bead across in like ten seconds. It's almost insulting how much prep time vanishes into that one little spark. Makes you wonder if we're all just professional fitters who weld occasionally.

A $15 thermal camera from Harbor Freight shows hot spots in walls before they fail. Lets you point at the danger instead of just describing it.