In my experience, the trick to achieve shiny/straw colored welds with slightly blue HAZ, is LOW heat input.
The welded metal has to cool sufficiently to not be red before it leaves the argon shielding, otherwise it will turn grey.
Use chilling backing with Cu or Al if the parts are thin.

I have not been in the welding business for that many years, and have only used 316L filler since 99% of my work is on marine parts. That's why I referred to 304, as a lesser corrosion resistant filler... Never crossed my mind, but I will definently try the magnet trick, thanks! Luckily the previosl...

Recently a job came in, it was a rudder bearing for a 47-foot sailing yacht. It was seriously damabed by corrosion. Previously the owner had a problem with galvanic corrosion. The galvanic problem was solved and the rudder bearing was repaired/welded by some other firm, which I do not know of. This ...