How To Clean My Soldering Iron Tip
Each time you clean the soldering iron and put it away apply a fresh solder to the tip.
How to clean my soldering iron tip. We recommend the use of the Hakko 599B Tip cleaner as it can remove oxidation from the soldering tip without removing the solder or exposing the tip to harsh chemicals or thermal shock. Fit the new tip into the retaining sleeve and screw it back to the heating element. Try not to leave the iron sitting hot on the bench while not in use.
Heat your soldering iron up to the low end of a typical work range generally between 280 and 320C. You clean by thrusting the iron into the shaving a few times. This should lead to a clean shiny tip ready for use for more info see this video.
This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder. Clean the tip immediately after the solder iron to. Like other posters have said to make the tip last longer leave a blob of solder on the tip when you are done.
Brass wool is softer and less abrasive while the harder stainless steel wool has a longer life. First use a wet sponge to wipe off the tip before soldering. This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder.
This is because as the soldering iron expands and contracts quickly. In both cases the cleaning provides for the roughing of tin that has thickened on the parts and which may occur with the abrasive paper a nail file or by using the specific solvents. To clean your tips use either brass or stainless steel wool.
The best solder for oxidation prevention is one with a high amount of flux core. Turn it off as soon as you have finished soldering. With the soldering iron at normal soldering temperature stab quickly and repeatedly then immediately add solder the kind with flux in.