A substantially nitrate-free solution for milling products of refractory metals, especially titanium, which milling solution comprises: (a) about 20-100 g/l hydrofluoric acid; (b) a hydrogen inhibitor selected from the group comprising of: about 55-650 g/l of sodium chlorate, about 180-650 g/l of ammonium peroxysulfate, and at least about 10 g/l of hydrogen peroxide; and (c) a balance of water and impurities. A method for chemically milling, etching and/or pickling metal products, such as titanium alloy forgings, with the aforementioned solution is also disclosed.