How to Clean Solder Tips Properly
The soldering iron tip is the most important part of your soldering tool kit, but is often the most neglected. Proper cleaning of the tip is essential for good soldering, and will prolong the life of the tip. Soldering iron tips are made of a copper core for good heat transfer, and plated with iron to protect the copper from oxidation. Some tips are additionally plated with nickel and chrome on the iron insert end to keep solder from flowing from the working end. Solder tips pick up all kinds of contaminants from electronic parts, as well as iron oxidation, and must be cleaned throughout the soldering process.
Instructions
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1
Inspect the tip of a cold soldering iron for abrasions, rust, dents, bending or other physical damage. Physically damaged tips should be replaced with a new tip.
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Heat the iron to operating temperature. This will vary from iron to iron, and may take from a few seconds to several minutes. A good way to tell if the iron is up to temperature is to place solder on the tip. If the solder melts easily, the iron is ready.
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Place the tip onto a sponge slightly dampened with water. Hold the tip at a light downward angle, gently and quickly turning it to contact all sides of the tip. Avoid too much water on the sponge, and too much application time to the tip, to prevent heat loss.
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4
Apply solder to the tip, in a process called "tinning," and lightly coat all sides. Tinning protects the tip from oxidation, and makes it ready for use.
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5
Allow the iron to cool before placing it back in storage. Irons should be stored in a spring holder if used regularly, or in a tool or storage box if used only occasionally. A storage box will protect the tip from environmental contaminants.
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Tips & Warnings
If the tip is especially oxidized, and cannot be cleaned with a damp sponge, you may rub ultra-fine emery cloth against the tip at operating temperature. Consult your solder iron owner's manual for specific information on your particular model.
Use a quality rosin core flux. Flux helps keep tips and part surfaces free of oxidation.
Always keep extra tips in assorted sizes and shapes handy.
Using a file or sandpaper to clean tips will cause serious damage to the tip plating, and may cause it to cease working properly.
Always wear eye protection when soldering. Solder can sputter at any time, and may cause severe burns and eye injury.
Turn the soldering iron off after every use, and use commonsense safety precautions when working with heated tools.
