How To Clean Your Soldering Iron Tip

If some of the oxides are just sticking really well you could try to mildly abrade them on a brass sponge copper braid or similar but you cant be too hard or you will damage the iron plating good tips are typically copper core plated with iron then chromium everywhere but the working area.

How to clean your soldering iron tip. To apply the tip cleaner first heat the soldering iron. Each time you clean the soldering iron and put it away apply a fresh solder to the tip. Soldering iron only works if there is a temperature difference.

Take either a wet sponge or wire wool. This is done by first ensuring the tip is clean and free of surface oxides. A nice alternative to using a heat gun.

On a fine pointed tip this will be even more evident. Leave for 4-5 Seconds and then Take out the Iron. Now remove the tip and clean it with a moist sponge to remove the cleaner.

Then dip into the tin of tinner cleaner with a slight twisting action. This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder. Insert the Tip in Good Quality Tip Tinner.

When pre-cleaning is necessary for plated tips they should be cleaned with a mildly abrasive emery cloth and may require an acid flux to remove the oxides before tinning or re-tinning. 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. To use the Tip tinnercleaner heat the soldering iron.

And if you are using a shared soldering iron at your school or workplace where dirty irons are commonplace it helps to know how to deal with the material buildup on the tip. If all else fails Soldering Iron tips do not last forever. Then dip the tip in the cleaner and do a slight twist action.