How To Clean Soldering Iron Tip Without Flux

When done correctly the liquid solder should attach to the cold screwdriver properly thereby allowing you to get rid of it from the surface.

How to clean soldering iron tip without flux. Do not allow the iron temperature to rise too high before applying the solder because excess heat will cause the tip surface to re-oxidize and no longer accept the solder. Switch OFF the Soldering Station or the Iron. This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder.

If the tip is plated it should never be filed or heavily abraded. To do so you will need something other than flux to break down the oxides on the metal surface without which your surface may be damaged or not properly cleaned. Leave for 4-5 Seconds and then Take out the Iron.

This should lead to a clean shiny tip ready for use. In case you are going to use a soldering wick without a flux it would be better if you add it. There are different categories of fluxes.

Avoid dipping your soldering iron tips at a higher temperature into flux to clean them because some flux may damage them. Its something of a vi-vs-emacs war about which is better but whatever. Wipe the iron on a damp sponge to remove the excess.

After soldering immediately remove excess flux residue on the circuit board and tip as the substance is corrosive. Care should be taken to ensure the plating is not damaged or removed as this will shorten the working life of the tip dramatically. Solder flux residue can be removed in two steps.

The best alternative to flux when soldering is petroleum jelly which is anti-corrosive and will not damage your material. Then dip into the tin of tinner cleaner with a slight twisting action. Isopropyl alcohol is generally used for the removal of.