How To Prime A Soldering Iron Tip

Typically advised to be conducted after unpacking a brand new tool here are the steps on tinning a soldering iron.

How to prime a soldering iron tip. This step will coat the iron in a mixture of flux and solder. The solder melts and should stick at the tip. The tip type is determined by the soldering iron it is used on.

When the iron is hot wipe both sides of the soldering tip on the sponge. After a minute or two the iron should be hot enough to steam when touched to the sponge. Fit the new tip into the retaining sleeve and screw it back to the heating element.

If theres a stubborn piece of contaminant left on the tip you can use metal wool to gently scrape it off. Clean the tinned tip and you have a refurbished soldering tip. There are even tips that are a permanent part of a replaceable elementtip assembly.

Ad Compare a Huge Selection of Parts. It is a much stronger flux that will clean and tin the tip. This is done by first ensuring the tip is clean and free of surface oxides.

Keep in mind you should lower the temperature down to about 500F for this process. Heat from the solder tip will activate the flux and start the chemical reaction that removes oxides. Apply liquid flux to the working area of the tip and submerse it into the molten solder in a smooth even motion.

Brass wool in a little pot. Wipe the iron on a damp sponge to remove the excess. 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.