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45
Mastering the Art of Soldering
2.
Using highly activated rosin fluxes or acid type fluxes significantly reduce a tip’s lifespan.
Using iron plated tips will increase service life.
3.
The tip has a wettable area, the working area and the one responsible for the heat
transfer. If the tip becomes unwettable, you have to apply flux and wipe clean the iron tip.
4.
Make use of a polishing bar if you need to file the tip or you want to do heavy cleaning of
the tip. This is advisable to use because too much filing the tip or using other products
will remove the protective plating and shortens its lifespan
5.
Before turning off the iron, do not remove the excess solder from the heated tip because
this excess solder will prevent oxidation of the wettable surface if your iron tip.
6.
Make use of distilled water in wetting the sponge because tap water may contaminate
your soldering tip.
7.
After you used the soldering iron, do the following:
• Turn off the soldering iron and let the tip cool.
• Carefully clean the hot tip with a clean wet sponge.
• Apply a coating of solder to the tip.
• Keep the tip in proper storage or in an iron holder.
