Electronics > Repair
Restoring dried solder flux paste
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SilverSolder:

--- Quote from: ryan780 on January 30, 2021, 07:54:27 pm ---As a fellow cheapskate, I just wanted to say thank you.  I don't know why it never occurred to me to use liquid flux to rejuvenated this tub of paste.  My paste wasn't quite as far gone as yours it sounds like so all I had to do was squeeze in the liquid flux and then stir with a stir stick.  Done!  I found this via a simple Google search and this was the first link that popped up.  I so rarely find searching for anything provides real answers anymore.  Instead the first 5 results are usually just links to buy things.  But when I found this on the first try I just had to register so I could say THANK YOU!  You've saved me having to spend money on a new tub of flux and you've made my Saturday.   :clap:

--- End quote ---

Welcome to the EEVblog, where we don't just use our solder flux - we take it apart!   :-DD

I actually used the "restored" flux (discussed in the original post) just a couple of days ago, and it still works like new - this is a durable fix!

uli12us:
The tacky flux in syringes contain petroleum jelly as well. Unfortunately the fraction of it is a secret. I think a third of the weight can not be bad. So you have 1 part rosin, 1part IPA or other alcohol and 1 part petroleum jelly.
Alex Eisenhut:
That's not cheap. Cheap is getting the rosin from a tree... Just need to pick some bark out of it and you're good. I actually cleaned some tips with it. My Dad has several leaky pine trees in his yard...
T3sl4co1l:
Heh, way ahead of you, I actually picked some like a month ago on a walk...  Dissolved in acetone, filtered (ooh it's so sticky, be careful!), let to dry in a warm place.  Such a lovely amber-brown brew... not very tasty, even if you're into those really resinous-piney IPAs. :-DD

The turpentine fraction dries out very slowly indeed, and diffuses slowly, hence it skins over... right now I've got the container sitting above the stove pilot light, it's pretty toasty, but not enough to full melt.  It crusts over, leaving a liquid center.  Tempted to just put it in the oven and get it nice and cooked.  If I do, it'll smell like a saw mill in here... :-DD

As it is, yeah, it definitely works, but it's not as good as a proper blend.  The turpentine fraction evaporates rapidly on soldering heat, bubbling and melting everywhere, releasing nostril-burning fumes of turpentine and assorted light rosin compounds.

In a pinch?  Definitely recommended over nothing at all. :)

Tim
Ian.M:
Let someone else boil out the turpentine!  In many less developed countries you can find good quality pale lump rosin at a street market spice stall.  In developed countries, you can usually get it affordably online - avoid 'violin rosin' as it may have additives undesirable in flux.  If the country isn't 'dry' you can probably also get 95% pure ethanol, though you may have to settle for denatured alcohol.   Provided you let the mixed flux settle out and decant it to remove undissolved solids, detritus that was embedded in the rosin, and any aqueous layer, the resulting liquid flux is comparable to commercial ROL0 (unactivated rosin 'R') flux.
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