Jewelry AntiFlux, How to Make It

Sometimes you need to protect a previous solder joint from having the solder flow again and freeze the joint, or flow where you don't want solder to get into.
So, here is what I do and how to make Jewelry AntiFlux.
JewelryMonk.com
JewelryMonkTools.com

[@annh3599]

Thanks Doug!

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

you are welcome

[@carolinerosoff6823]

Thank you !!! Just what I needed :)

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

You are welcome.

[@catnelson3064]

Great idea. I use anti flux for different applications and will definitely make up some red rouge / mineral oil and give er a try. Coolio!

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Thanks. Enjoy. Rinse. Repeat. :)

[@NoRosesJewelry]

LOVE this tip!! Thanks

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

You are welcome.

[@sarawelder1]

great tip! you say you use mineral oil for numerous other things... could you please elaborate?

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Thanks Sara, I use it in my graystar compound on an end brush to get into tight areas, I use it to lubricate my tools at times, I use it for anti-flux. I keep it in a small syringe on my bench. Doug

[@flyingcheff]

HI Doug! Thanks for this, this is a great thing to have in the arsenal of tricks to succeed. Besides not flowing again, what happens to solder that gets reheated past its flow point [again]? Is the join compromised at all? I understand that solder flows at a lower temp than the metal being soldered as a result of zinc being added to solder alloys, when heated to flow (the more zinc alloyed in, the lower the flow temp); the zinc burns out/off, effectively making it a harder solder than when it started out once it goes back to the solidus. Is this accurate? Does the join change in integrity on reheat - and on possible secondary reheat....? What's happening under that anti-flux? Whatcha think oh wise master we all adore? Thank you for your time, I am grateful for the energy you expend in sharing your knowledge. :)))))

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

You are right. If it is reheated past it's flow point multiple times, it will become brittle and weaker, due to a burning off of the alloys in the solder, and contaminants getting into the solder joint and grain boundaries. The more times the solder is melted, the higher the melting temp is, but it will weaken as well. Good idea to use heat sinks and protection when possible, but some times the solder joints are so close, this is not an option, this is when a good anti-flux comes in handy. Take care.

[@SuperDutchman59]

я применяю гуашь,трех цветов белый(это чистый каолин),коричневая гуашь,это глина,или можно цвета охра(это натур глины) и черного цвета,это уголь,сажа,все это в густом виде наводе я смазываю места предохранения,особенно цепочек и других сложных местах.Вода при нагреве испаряеться и остается глина или сажа ГУАШь и защищает ювелирное изделие от припоя.==I use gouache, three colors white (this is pure kaolin), brown gouache, this is clay, or it can be ocher (this is nature clay) and black, this is coal, soot, all this in a thick form of water, I lubricate the places of protection, especially chains and other difficult places. When heated, water evaporates and remains clay or soot. Gouache protects the jewelry from solder.

[@andreasvanderaa4081]

Hi Doug!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and I really appreciate! I tried rouge+water and it worked. Seems not so messy like with tipex; or may be applying of rouge by a tooth pick is more controlable :) just a quick question. What will be easier to clean after soldering from your experience: rouge+oil or rouge+water? Many thanks!!!

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

I have tried both, and they both clean up well. I like to use the oil, just because it doesn't dry out. try both ways.

[@miekemanders6598]

Hello mr Napier. Maybe I have a question that you don't expect. I am not English. But what is "rouge". I can see it's a product with a red colour and to me it looks like the red paste that I use for the last polishing. Is this the same product? For the oil, can I use olive oil instead? Thank you for your good tutorial and your answer. Mieke

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Rouge is a commonly used term to describe a final polishing compound. It comes in a hard block that is rubbed on a spinning polishing wheel to place a shine on jewelry. I know the word "rouge" is a French word which means "red", and traditionally final polishing compound was red, but now comes in many colors, but the name carried over. Also, Yes, you can use olive oil as well. Doug

[@miekemanders6598]

@@DougNapierJewelryMonk Thank you very much for your answer!! Have a nice evening. Mieke

[@amberhohman829]

Thanks! Can you use any other oils?

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

Yes, you can even use water. I use mineral oil because I always have a syringe of it on my bench.

[@jimbettridge3123]

Thanks Doug!

[@DougNapierJewelryMonk]

You are welcome Jim.