Help with passivation

[Loganberry]

I use electronic cigarettes and my preferred device uses a stainless steel mesh wick heated by Kanthal wire coiled around it. The obvious drawback is a short between the wick and the Kanthal (about 70% iron, 25% chromium, 5% aliminium). To get around this the Kanthal or SS or both are oxidised. The Kanthal by passing a current through it so that it glows orange red, The mesh wick by heating over a gas hob or using a cooks blow torch or jet cigarette ligher. This works reaonably well. I was wondering if there is a better way of passivating for example heating in citric acid. Details about how to do this and any help appreciated.