End feed Soldering question

[Sonic70]

Hi,

When soldering after putting a thin layer of flux on pipe and then pushing into fitting with a twist do you guys wipe the excess flux off with a damp cloth or not. I find the solder flows into the joint better with some flux on the edge of the joint. If I wipe the joint prior to using the torch I sometimes find that I can get the joint hot enough but the solder doesn't flow into the joint easily it sort of conjeeals on the edge. Any thoughts on this?

Victor

 

[denso13]

do you guys wipe the excess flux off with a damp cloth or not

No, not before soldering.

 

[oldbuffer]

Yes, always wipe off. The solder will "follow" the flux, so if its on the outside and drips down the pipe as heated, solder may well follow.
Another typical plumbing dilemma!

 

[Madrab]

I just use my finger to run round it, cleans most of it off but it always leaves a little fillet of flux to pool the solder.

 

[Sonic70]

I think that is the problem I'm having by wiping the flux off with wet rag you lose the bit of flux at edge which allows it to flow into fitting. I'm trying to improve my soldering, I always put a little half inch bend in solder so I know I've fed right amount in but sometimes find I still get snot at bottom of fitting, think I need to watch solder flow more round joint as I feed it in and possibly my half inch bend is more than half inch.

Victor

 

[Bodd]

If I'm doing something on show and it needs to look neat I will give it a wipe before I heat..

Always wipe after

 

[Sonic70]

Thanks everyone, I'll keep practising.

 

[Madrab]

When the joint is finished, give it 30 secs to go off then use a damp clean cloth. Rinse the cloth regularly, otherwise you will transfer the flux onto the next joint and it will go green over time.

 

[Sonic70]

Thanks Rob, I've been waiting till the solder dulls before wiping.