We all know that if surface oxidized STRANDED copper wire is not cleaned right, solder won't stick/coat properly. So, I decided to start this thread to list all the possible ways of prepping older, surface oxidized STRANDED copper wire before soldering. Hopefully the best technique will emerge to help those who want to keep their old XJs running longer. Maybe a sticky will evolve.
We all know that when a solid copper wire gets dirty and/or badly surface oxidized, the procedure is to simply clean and sand the wire before soldering. With stranded copper wire, that approach doesn't work well, unless each strand is tediously separated, sanded, cleaned and soldered. Not a practical or fast approach. So it appears that some type of chemical cleaning is the way to go. Let me start things off by listing some chemical cleaners I'm aware of:
1. A weak Muriatic (HCL) acid solution to dip the stranded wire end in till bright copper appears. Neutralizing acid with a baking soda solution (BSS), cleaning with brake cleaner(BC) or Iso-Propy Alcohol (IPA), soldering.
2. A vinegar + salt solution to dip the wire end in, BSS to neutralize acid , BC or IPA, soldering.
3. Lemon juice + salt solution to dip the wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, BC or IPA, soldering.
4. Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) solution to dip wire end in, water rinse, soldering.
5. Phosphoric acid solution to dip wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, soldering.
6. Citric acid (readily available for canning) solution to dip wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, BC or IPA, soldering.
7. Commercial contact cleaners?
Ok, please add your comments/suggestions/best cleaning experiences so the best cleaning technique for surface oxidized stranded copper wire can evolve.
Best regards,
CJR
We all know that when a solid copper wire gets dirty and/or badly surface oxidized, the procedure is to simply clean and sand the wire before soldering. With stranded copper wire, that approach doesn't work well, unless each strand is tediously separated, sanded, cleaned and soldered. Not a practical or fast approach. So it appears that some type of chemical cleaning is the way to go. Let me start things off by listing some chemical cleaners I'm aware of:
1. A weak Muriatic (HCL) acid solution to dip the stranded wire end in till bright copper appears. Neutralizing acid with a baking soda solution (BSS), cleaning with brake cleaner(BC) or Iso-Propy Alcohol (IPA), soldering.
2. A vinegar + salt solution to dip the wire end in, BSS to neutralize acid , BC or IPA, soldering.
3. Lemon juice + salt solution to dip the wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, BC or IPA, soldering.
4. Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) solution to dip wire end in, water rinse, soldering.
5. Phosphoric acid solution to dip wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, soldering.
6. Citric acid (readily available for canning) solution to dip wire end in, BSS to neutralize the acid, BC or IPA, soldering.
7. Commercial contact cleaners?
Ok, please add your comments/suggestions/best cleaning experiences so the best cleaning technique for surface oxidized stranded copper wire can evolve.
Best regards,
CJR