How To Tin New Soldering Iron Tip
Wipe OFF the solder on the Cleaning Sponge or Copper Wool.
How to tin new soldering iron tip. If you must apply solder to the tip when making the connection vary the surfaces that the solder is applied to. Actually it only takes about 20 seconds. At this point you have made a little hole in the block and you want to feed in a little solder keep rubbing it around and the tip.
Plug in the iron and switch it on. Leaving the tip heated and not used for long times will reduce the life of the tip. Apply liquid flux to the working area of the tip and submerse it into the molten solder in a smooth even motion.
The flux in tip cleaner removes the oxidation and build up from the soldering iron tip and then the solder re-tins the tip ready for use. Never apply flux directly to a soldering iron tip. Turn the solder pot on and allow it to achieve the desired temperature.
That stuff is great. It will make your soldering iron long-lasting. You will want to tin your tips when you first purchase them before use when the iron is sitting idle in the holder during use and when you finish soldering before you pack your tips for storage.
This should be done as you heat the tip for the very first time. Its been almost 30 years since Ive had to break in a new iron and I forgot the tricks. Typically advised to be conducted after unpacking a brand new tool here are the steps on tinning a soldering iron.
Do not wait for it to get hot before touching the solder to the tip. Your soldering iron tip is now as shiny and good as new. How to Clean Soldering Iron Tip.