How To Clean Oxidized Solder Iron Tip
The flux in tip cleaner removes the oxidisation and build up from the soldering iron tip and then the solder re-tins the tip.
How to clean oxidized solder iron tip. Its important to note that the vast majority of long-life solder tips are going to have a protective coating on their surface which is specifically designed to help protect against oxidization. You will find that both a damp sponge and a wire cleaner will be effective for cleaning a tip. The best tip tinner is your solder--tips should always be coated with a small amount of solder.
Wipe the tip clean and re-tin it between every joint. The best solder for oxidation prevention is one with a high amount of flux core. Apart from removing the flux off it is essential to clean off surplus solder.
Like other posters have said to make the tip last longer leave a blob of solder on the tip when you are done. Set the temperature of the soldering iron between 250C and 300C. Squeeze and twist the sponge as you drag the tip out of the sponge.
Dip the tip into the tinner making sure that the entire oxidized surface is in contact with the re-tinning product. A soldering iron tip is beyond any hope of effective cleaning or repair if any part of the iron tip no matter how small has worn all the way through. The Enemy of Oxidation.
This is a mixture of a more aggressive flux than usually found in solder and powdered solder. Below are some great tips to use to clean an oxidized solder tip. Heres how to deal with oxidized tips.
Cleaning oxidised soldering iron tips. Use fluxes Sponge less and metal wool to remove small amounts of contaminants from your soldering iron tips during soldering circuit board or any other components. Wrap the wetted sponge around the tip.