How To Clean A Dirty Soldering Tip

Just try to wipe it off after every 4-5 solder joints.

How to clean a dirty soldering tip. Clean the solder side of PCB using Spirit or PCB cleaning solution. The tip tinner cleaner is a chemical method for cleaning and retinning the tip at the same time. With the iron tip cold use a polishing bar.

Well it might take a couple of tries the first time. If you choose to use a brush do it only on the solder. Before soldering the wires clean the bare wire with a blade to remove rust or dirt.

Dedicated tip cleaning mesh is the best thing Ive found for that but the traditional damp sponge works fairly well. You also can clean your soldering iron tip with a sponge while using it to keep it clean. Alternatively you can use a special polishing bar particularly of the tip is corroded or extremely dirty.

This should lead to a clean shiny tip ready for use. Once your iron is heated up for a job wipe it on a wet sponge to remove old solder and apply solder to the tip. If the tip is hot enough normally at least 300C and relatively free of rust the solder will flow up the tip and coat it.

In this case you have to damp down the steel wool and rub the metal tip of the soldering iron and as a result it will remove the rust and stains. A simple dab on the tip should do the job. The steel wool is made with alloys that dont react quickly on the soldering iron.

It doesnt matter too much if its ugly as long as you can get a nice shiny bit right at the tip. Fit the new tip into the retaining sleeve and screw it back to the heating element. Dont be afraid to add a bit more if acetone.