Posted by Angel on January 22, 2003 at 09:44:10:
In Reply to: Re: wiping iron tip posted by Gary Dodge on January 22, 2003 at 01:23:28:
Gary, I know this is a common perception....that certain fluxes leave brown spots behind. They also say it about the Classic 100 Gel and the Soldermate 11. I don't get spots...at all...with ANY flux. I routinely use the Classic and the Glastar and Canfield blue Soldermate etc. I wipe often on a wet towel and never have spots. I really believe that sponges are at the root of a lot of gunk problems on tips and spots on seams. If you use a towel and SEE how much junk you're wiping away, common sense will tell you that a little piece of sponge can't handle it, no matter how much you rinse it while you work. You and I use a Hakko 456 and they hold that heat rsulting in a LOT of residue.
The only way to clean a sponge is to wash it with detergent because plain water won't get the dirt out. Well, if you use detergent, you've contaminated that sponge and every time you wipe on it after that it's going to add MORE black residue to your tips. Sponges were introduced because they're small and fit into that little holder at the base of a lot of Iron rests. They were convenient and compact. That doesn't make them any good for really keeping a tip clean.
OK, thre's my SPONGE RANT. :)
: Glastar flux tends to leave dark brown spots on your solder lines, but those usually wash off in your cleanup.