How To Clean Soldering Iron Without Flux

Heating the part of a soldered location.

How to clean soldering iron without flux. While it can be useful in certain situations it is not enough to remove oxidation from a soldering iron tip. It will make your soldering iron long-lasting. Adjust the temperature of the iron just above the melting temperature of the solder being used.

Isopropyl alcohol is generally used for the removal of flux residues on circuit boards. 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. Thats how you can tin your new soldering iron.

Then dip into the tin of tinner cleaner with a slight twisting action. If you need to so some very small spot-work though you could get away without the flux but be aware it will likely bead up and roll around the wire instead of stick. Its something of a vi-vs-emacs war about which is better but whatever.

When done correctly the liquid solder should attach to the cold screwdriver properly thereby allowing you to get rid of it from the surface. Vacuuming the melted location. Emptying the desoldered part and cleaning off the circuit board.

In the second step another fluid is used to rinse away the solvents leftovers. To use the Tip tinnercleaner heat the soldering iron. You also can clean your soldering iron tip with a sponge while using it to keep it clean.

Dip the end of your solder wick into the flux a little and heat it with the iron. This helps to prevent unnecessary accidents. Work quickly carefully and as close as possible to the soldering area for best results.