How to clean and re tin your soldering iron

How to clean and re tin your soldering iron

I was skimming through Instructables yesterday when I came across an article on how to "restore" your soldering iron tip. I almost spit my drink on the computer when the author reccomended chucking your tip into a drill and using sandpaper to clean it up.
That's is the fastest way to destroy the tip. Let me show you the correct way to do it, no power tools are required.

[rosehannahmae]

You're so right...LOL, I have daily use tips over 30 years old that I still use. Other than regular tip tinner, I also use plumbers flux as a hot tip dip.

[racineg]

Been pulling apart electronics ever since I was old enough to hold a screw driver, I think it's about time I learned to put them back together.

[EdWood]

I did the sandpaper treatment once to thank my neighbor for lending me his soldering iron and I wanted to return it in A+ condition. 🤣 He was not happy, of course I bought him a new tip. This was before YouTube existed. Great video, I laughed a lot.

[PyroChimp]

As a repairer myself, Thank you soooo much for covering this!! This has been at the back of my mind for decades and I tell everyone I meet about how not to destroy your soldering tips! hats off for this video I cannot give it enough likes! My soldering iron station tip is over four years old and only the color has changed due to the heating+cooling over the years, apart from that it still looks like new, no pitting or corrosion :D

[denisorourke]

Great video. I'm new to soldering. Wish I saw this video before I tried my first solder. It would have saved me a bunch of grief.

[adamarzo]

Thankfully when I got into electronics and soldering my old buddy at the time was into rc cars and told me how to keep my soldering tip clean and how to re-tin it. Don't speak to old mate anymore, but his advice stays with me to this day.

[RobMacKendrick]

Thanks for the clear, complete instructions. My tip looks "like that", not because I'm lazy but because I didn't know any better. Oh, and: ouroboros.

[glenn]

Thank you, I've been doing this same method since high school. My first job i needed to do some soldering there, and their iron was so bad and until i could convince them to get me a new tip, i had to use that sandpaper method because there was no way to bring it back. Finally got the new tip, next day somebody used it and it was destroyed. From then on i bought my own tip, whenever i was done I'd but the destroyed one back

[TiffanyJonesLotusLEDW]

Ouroboros is the self-eating snake. Thanks for this tutorial.

[Lemur]

I learned how to do basic soldering back in high school, but have forgotten all but the simplest "soldering iron melts the solder" level of information. I really appreciate videos like this working as a stop-gap between me and some stupid, destructive mistake that might come up as I relearn the skillset for fixing up and tinkering with retro games.

[rogerunderhill]

I will always be thankful to my colleagues who went through apprentice training and taught me how to solder properly. It always amazes me how little some people know. I’ve seen people try to drip solder on to joints! Thanks for a great video.

[phantomslim]

I'm new to soldering and the constant beading was getting really irritating. I found the article you're referencing, and I almost tried it before I went to double check YouTube, and I'm glad I did.
Thank you for saving my iron and teaching me something new and most helpful, you've got yourself a subscriber my friend 🤙

[iran]

lessens:
- don't trust the internet.
and
- always keep your tip coated and clean.

[idogendel]

I found that tinning the tip after every soldering session, and wiping it occasionally with brass wool during work, keeps it clean and shiny without resorting to flux. The flux can then be saved for the worse cases of oxidation. [P.S. Regardless, thanks for this important video!]

[VladSandu]

I just got my soldering iron dirty, and i remember i saw your video a while ago and came back to it. Thank you sir!

[Flightdevildoc]

Great video. I learned soldering back in the late 70s while in high school industrial art class (when it was part of our secondary education) and recalled my teacher telling us never to sand the tip for cleaning (as it was considered the highest insult to the Soldering Gods), but instead what you just said, tinning the tip right after, wipe and use together w/ plumbers flux to clean and protect the tip. Believe or not, I have found YTB vids from some people who have done their stuff for over 20 yrs and some give the wrong advice for beginners or DIYers, for example, a guy w/ 30yr building boats, stated that it was ok to take off the protective guard from the angle grinder once you learned to use it as it is for beginners only (like me), which I was horrified as a protective guard is a must every time the angle grinder is used (from OSHA). So, thank you so much for showing us the right way to do things. I tell people, do a lot of research before using any type of tool. The more you know, the safer and enjoyable it gets to do stuff. Thanks. New Subs. Oorah, Semper Fi. 🙂

[vincentrobinette]

You do it exactly like I do. Another thing you're doing right, is running the iron at a controlled temperature. Too hot, invites oxidation. Storing the iron tip tinned also helps. I don't use a sponge, I have a piece of aluminum I can shake it off on to. (Never tap, or strike the iron on anything, you can damage the heating element) Solder will not stick to aluminum, so the beads just wipe right off. The ONLY time I've ever used an abrasive on a tip is if the tip is already shot, and I'm just polishing up the copper base metal. You have to tin it immediately, because the copper will oxidize as soon as it comes up to temperature. Have the solder right against it, so it melts onto it as soon as possible. When I'm tinning, I hold the tip straight down, and let the solder bead, then drip right off the point. That makes the tip usable for that soldering session. If you loose that coating, the tip can be used, but it needs MUCH more maintenance. Oxides just don't conduct heat, nor will it hold solder. I can't get that rosin flux anymore, I have to rely on the flux in the solder core. Cheap fixed wattage pencil irons have a tendency to get way too hot. No matter what, if you don't solder enough joints often enough, they overheat and oxidize. Tips just don't last long under those conditions.

[michaelpadovani]

Bingo! A LONG time ago when i was young and stupid i did just that...take sandpaper to the iron tip. And i quickly realized it oxidizes the metal once the protective coating is removed (exactly what u said). I tin it now just like u do, every time i solder with success. I'll also mention to turn off or lower heat on iron when not using for 5 mins or more...this will further prevent oxidation and prolong tip life. Happy soldering!

[DreamState]

There are so many people that just destroy their soldering iron tips by not properly cleaning them... Thank you for a decent video on proper care of your soldering iron tip.

[markrhine]

You are correct, so correct, I have one of these soldering stations and I bought some tips, I thought they were junk, until I watched your videos on how to properly clean and tinned the tips. The next time I soldered I taken you advice and it turns out that not only do I enjoy soldering with this station, I now have very clean and reusable tips... Thank you kindly for this video and happy soldering...):