Left soldering iron on, now the tip is black. :(

[C64]

The last time I used my soldering iron I forgot about it and it burned away for about 3 hours before I switched it off.

I've just taken it out the cupboard to Jtag an Xbox 360 but I can't seem to clean the tip. I've tried tinning it but the solder just won't take to the oxidised tip. I've rubbed it on my wet sponge over and over and dunked it in my copper tip cleaning thingy again and again but it won't budge.

Are there any common household product that would help, something like vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate soda, cola etc?

[v8 dave]

Get a scouring pad and give the end a scrub; you normally get a brass tip cleaning pad to do it properly.

[C64]

Thanks for the quick reply mate.

I'm sure someone once told me not to use any type of friction on a solder tip as it removes some sort of protective layer that stops the flux from eating through it.

Have you done this before and does it work?

I don't care if it kills the tip, it's probably needing replaced anyway.



ps...I've got a tub of brass shaving things that I usually use to clean them with, should I heat the iron to operating temperature and rub it around in that? - although I've sorta been doing that already.

[rappttor]

mate, i cleaned mine many times with Abrasive Paper and it still works...anyway i've stolen my wife's Kitchen Metal Sponge , keep it near the holder and any time my iron becomes bleack just stick it in it several times and it will be ok

[C64]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a good scrubbing, if that fails I have some nice fine sandpaper in the shed.

[cactikid]

maybe your solder is old also

[C64]

maybe your solder is old also

Does solder go out of date?

[satsmo]

I use a rosin-cored solder and a polishing bar to clean off burnt tips. Good guide here Clean and tin the Tip

Although I can see you using the brillo pad method

[gizmo.1484]

Put the tip in a tub of flux, the same stuff that plumbers use. That will clean the tip..

[patkins]

I usually give mine a rub in one direction (away from me)with a fine file.

[cactikid]

i think it may go off,had to buy new stuff as it would not stick to tip,maybe dampness

[z786]

what type of soldering iron isit?

[chucklor]

Soldering iron tips are made of soft metal(copper) so as Pat said just clean it with a file, all you usually do is make the tip smaller which I have done on several occasions for finer components. The usual reason that solder does not melt is it is the wrong solder, as the wattage of the soldering tip for something to repair electronic components should be lower to prevent damage to the circuit board( i think they are 15watt) I would google the right solder for the corrisponding iron or ask someone in electronics...

[C64]

Soldering iron tips are made of soft metal(copper) so as Pat said just clean it with a file, all you usually do is make the tip smaller which I have done on several occasions for finer components. The usual reason that solder does not melt is it is the wrong solder, as the wattage of the soldering tip for something to repair electronic components should be lower to prevent damage to the circuit board( i think they are 15watt) I would google the right solder for the corrisponding iron or ask someone in electronics...

I've used this solder with this iron many times before mate and never had a problem. My iron is a 25w Antex with a fine tip. My problem is that the tip is blackened and I'm having trouble getting it cleaned.

However, my problem has just got a hell of a lot worse, every time I turn on the iron it trips a circuit and my electricity goes off. Time for the bin I think.

Time for a new iron.

[C64]

what type of soldering iron isit?

Antex 25w mate, but it's ~~~~ed now.

One of these mate.