What is the proper way to clean burnt flux from tip?

[syzygy]

I have used my new soldering iron one time, careful to tin the tip, but it appears that the flux has turned the rest of the tip black, besides the part I have tinned.  It's just burned black on there.. did I do something wrong?  What is the best way to clean this?

Thanks!

[birt]

make sure the tip is allways tinned.
you can wipe it clean on a damp sponge. in fact, it's good to have a damp sponge next to your soldering iron whenever you are using it. a clean tip will apply the heat to the solderconnection easier than a dirty tip.

[syzygy]

Well I may have been confusing there.. the tip of my tip is fine, it's the rest of the tip that is black.  Is this normal or should the whole thing be cleaned regularly?  Also, is it normal for the iron to start turning black over time? (the part that houses the heating element)

[Pedal love]

Apply solder,  let set a few seconds. rub with a wet sponge.pl

[niftydog]

the only bit that should worry you is the five millimeters or so right at the end. As long as that is healthy and shiny, don't worry about the rest of it. Only the very end has been plated in the factory, the rest, because it doesn't come in contact with the solder joint, is just left alone.

[Pedal love]

Apply solder, let set a few seconds, rub excess with wet sponge. pl

[syzygy]

ok that makes me feel better that I didn't ruin a new tip.

Also, what is the proper usage of the brass sponge to remove the excess solder... should I use the wet sponge in conjunction with this one?

[niftydog]

I've never used a brass cleaner sponge. I think the idea is that a wet sponge has a cooling effect on the tip, whereas the brass coils do not. Having said that, I've never seen a brass cleaning "sponge" in any professional workshop.

[syzygy]

Well, to be clear, this is what I'm referring to:
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7499

I've seen some people in this forum strongly suggest using this.  I guess I shouldn't be calling it a  "sponge", but I'm not really sure what to call it, maybe "brass shavings"?

[Eric H]

I've never used a brass cleaner sponge. I think the idea is that a wet sponge has a cooling effect on the tip, whereas the brass coils do not. Having said that, I've never seen a brass cleaning "sponge" in any professional workshop.

Switched to one of the brass-wool cleaners 3 years ago. It not only doesn't cool the tip but cleans it well. Try one --you won't go back ;-)
Pro's in any trade (I'm a carpenter) are very conservative when it comes to tools, and are frequently the last to adopt innovation.

-Eric

[syzygy]

So do you not use the wet sponge at all any more?

[Pedal love]

I'll stick to my wet sponge, until further review.pl

[KORGULL]

I think the copper tip cleaner is great. When I first got it, I still kept a damp sponge handy as well 'cause I wasn't too sure about it. It didn't take long before I ditched the sponge.

[Peter Snowberg]

Been soldering for 29 years now.... I'll never touch an iron to a wet sponge or a wet paper towel ever again. It's just not worth it.

Sponge free since 1986!

[Eric H]

Sponge free since 1986!

I rest my case ;-)

-Eric

[syzygy]

So is your iron black with burnt flux (besides the tinned part of the tip), or is that something you have avoided?

[shawn]

Heck, not only is the brass "sponge" better, it's a pain in the butt trying to clean with a wet standard sponge, then you have to deal with little solder beads that collect on your sponge. Very annoying.

[shawn]

I responded yet failed to answer the question. When I had black residue on my soldering iron. I would first do this operation when the soldering iron was cooled. I would take some heavy grit sand paper and sand off as much of the residue I could. THEN I would take some of that tip cleaner you can get, simply dip it in the compound and let it tin the tip, clean with sponge, done.

[niftydog]

Pro's in any trade (I'm a carpenter) are very conservative when it comes to tools, and are frequently the last to adopt innovation.

Yeah, but we just purchased a AUD$7000 SMD rework station, and guess what, it has SPONGES!

I was just making an observation, I haven't used them personally.

Seems I should order one and see for myself.

[niftydog]

then you have to deal with little solder beads that collect on your sponge. Very annoying.

take dry sponge out of holder approximately every month, invert dry sponge over waste bin and shake.

It doesn't bother me in the slightest.