The invention relates to a method for short-cycle arc welding with drawn-arc ignition, wherein a stud is welded to a piece of sheet metal, with the following steps: provision of a stud having an end face with which the stud is welded to a welding surface of the sheet metal, wherein an integral distinct projection is formed in the end face, placement of the projection on the welding surface and switch-on of an electric pilot current, lifting of the stud from the welding surface, whereby an arc is drawn, establishment of a welding current flowing through the arc in such a manner that the end face and the welding face start to melt, lowering of the welding stud onto the welding surface, wherein the melts at the end face and welding surface mix, and switch-off of the welding current so that the entire melt solidifies to join the stud to the sheet metal in a material-to-material manner, wherein after lifting of the welding stud and before establishment of the welding current, an alternating cleaning current is initially established in a cleaning step that is designed to clean the welding surface and/or the end face of contaminants, such as lubricants or wax, and/or of coatings, for example corrosion-protective coatings of zinc.