Soldering Preparation

Stripping wires

The best way to remove the insulation from the end of the wire and exposing the copper core is to use a wire stripper. There are many types of wire strippers to choose from, but since most of them work the same, just check to make sure that it has the correct diameters. You simply put the wire in place, and squeeze to cut the insulation, then pull the end bit off. It will cut to a preset depth, and if you have chosen the right depth, the insulation will come off perfectly, leaving you only with the copper core. It is possible to choose the wrong depth, so confirm the right depth before you make the cut. If you do not have a wire cutter, you can substitute it with a side cutter, or a knife.

Cleaning components

Before you solder an electronic component, you should make sure that the contacts are free from dust and grease.

The safest way to clean up a dusty PCB or electronic component is to use a can of compressed air.

For very large contacts or pads that have a thick layer of oxidation, you can use some steel wool or other abrasive material to gently remove the oxidation to expose the metal underneath.

Thin layers of flux residues left over from prior work can be cleaned with a brush using isopropyl alcohol or water depending on the polarity of the flux used.