How To Clean Your Solder Iron Tip

Electronix Express points out that in order to remove the dirt and debris that accumulates on the tip of a soldering iron it is necessary to wipe it clean with a sponge.

How to clean your solder iron tip. Leave it there until the paste melts around the tip. Clean and then tin your tip each time you pick the iron up or before you put it down. Never wipe it on the sponge and put it in the holder.

This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder. If some of the oxides are just sticking really well you could try to mildly abrade them on a brass sponge copper braid or similar but you cant be too hard or you will damage the iron plating good tips are typically copper core plated with iron then chromium everywhere but the. This will maximize the cleaning the sponge offers by keeping the tip material in a flowing state.

Be careful not to get a thermal shock while doing this. Wire wool has the advantage of not cooling down the soldering iron too much and you dont have to wait for the iron to get its desired temperature. Switch on the Soldering Station or the Iron and Make sure it is Hot Enough.

Leave for 4-5 Seconds and then Take out the Iron. When pre-cleaning is necessary for plated tips they should be cleaned with a mildly abrasive emery cloth and may require an acid flux to remove the oxides before tinning or re-tinning. Take either a wet sponge or wire wool.

To apply the tip cleaner first heat the soldering iron. Therefore it is advisable to use the dry cleaner options to avoid shock do a faster job and increase the life of the iron tip. A solder pot may also be used to tin or re-tin your soldering iron tip.

When you are done for the day simply wipe clean as the iron is cooling and it will be ready to go the next time. Set the temperature of the soldering iron between 250C and 300C. Push the soldering iron tip into the chemical cleaner until the entire rusted area is submerged.