How To Clean A Dirty Soldering Tip
Just try to wipe it off after every 4-5 solder joints.
How to clean a dirty soldering tip. Wipe off the irons tip between strokes. Well it might take a couple of tries the first time. Once your iron is heated up for a job wipe it on a wet sponge to remove old solder and apply solder to the tip.
Cleaning and maintaining soldering tips ensure its longer life. Alternatively you can use a special polishing bar particularly of the tip is corroded or extremely dirty. Its a bunch of thick tinsel-like wires intertwined.
This method is advisable as a last resort. Sal ammoniac for cleaning your stained glass soldering iron tip comes in a solid block form similar to that of a bar of soap. I use another Hakko product to clean the iron - rather than a wet sponge I have what my friend says looks like a mini pot of gold.
This should lead to a clean shiny tip ready for use. A simple dab on the tip should do the job. It doesnt matter too much if its ugly as long as you can get a nice shiny bit right at the tip.
If the tip loses its tin you want a product called tinning salts or sal ammoniac to restore wettability then re-tin with your usual solder. Flood the tip with solder after cleaning to cover the entire working surface of the tip. If the tip is a little too dirty you can apply a cleaning paste and a tip tinner.
It should be used when the previous methods fail and a more active cleaning method is needed. Be careful not to over-tighten the locking nut. Your cleaning method will vary based on the status of your soldering iron whether it is currently hot or coldIf your iron is dirty but still hot set it as.