A method is provided for oxide removal from a substrate. The method includes providing the substrate in a process chamber where the substrate has an oxide layer formed thereon, and performing a sequential oxide removal process. The sequential oxide removal process includes exposing the substrate at a first substrate temperature to a flow of a first etching gas containing F2 to partially remove the oxide layer from the substrate, raising the temperature of the substrate from the first substrate temperature to a second substrate temperature, and exposing the substrate at the second temperature to a flow of a second etching gas containing H2 to further remove the oxide layer from the substrate. In one embodiment, a film may be formed on the substrate following the sequential oxide removal process.