I let it die all the way, useually about two seasons. Then I heat treat it with ths powder coating oven my brother in law has at about 300F, then I put it in a basin of water, useually a trough or thebathtub depending on the size and scrub it with a wire brush. Then I presure wash it. Then I put it bacj into the tub or trough and drain and fill about 1 billion times (not really more like a dozen. Then I throw it in a tank, and wiegh it down with stones. That's my process, honestly its over kill and I could just presure wash it and throw it in a tank as per many forums I have read on treating it. But I am a fan of better safe then sorry.