TIG Welding Rod Question

[Don Z.]

OK, so I know little about welding, but did see a welding supply store in town.

I stopped in and asked for TIG welding rod, so that I could use it instead of cotter pins or rings, as seen in the Apprentice.

When I got home and looked at my treasure, instead of seeing bright stainless "wire rod", the rod seems to be coated with some sort of flux.

After a few minutes with Google, I think he gave me Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) rod instead of the requested TIG rod. Am I right in assuming TIG rod can be used "as is"?

As I see it right now, my two options are to (a) Return and ask for the "right stuff" (preferred) or (b) knock all the flux off and use what I have.

I am assuming the store will take the return, as I asked for "Stainless Steel TIG welding rod", and that's not what he gave me. Did I ask for the wrong thing? Is there something else I should have said?

Thanks,