How To Clean Your Solder Iron Tip

This is done by first ensuring the tip is clean and free of surface oxides.

How to clean your solder iron tip. To clean your tips use either brass or stainless steel wool. 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. Fine sandpaper can be used to clear the outer layer of oxidation or rust off your soldering iron tip but should never be used on the tip itself.

If your soldering tip becomes detinned oxidized it can be restored in a number of ways. Of the tip regularly. That way the solder on the surface oxidizes rather than the tip itself.

Push the soldering iron tip into the chemical cleaner until the entire rusted area is submerged. Wipe OFF the solder on the Cleaning Sponge or Copper Wool. 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.

You should not have to do more than periodically wipe the tip clean with a damp sponge then re-tin with fresh solder. A solder pot may also be used to tin or re-tin your soldering iron tip. You can remove oxides easier by wiping the soldering iron tip in a wet sponge.

To apply the tip cleaner first heat the soldering iron. Clean the tip After every cycle and before you start to solder always clean your tip. The iron should NEVER be in the stand without a tinned tip Ie.

Then dip into the tin of tinner cleaner with a slight twisting action. Never wipe it on the sponge and put it in the holder. Dip the tip into the tinner making sure that the entire oxidized surface is in contact with the re-tinning product.