The Great Solder Paste Revival | How do I fix dried up solder paste?

[@roberth5435]

Justin says that the solder balls do not change over time. That's not quite true. The manufacturers of solder paste describe that the deterioration of solder paste is not simply due to the evaporation of the flux. There is a reaction (albeit slow) between flux and solder. The finer the balls (T5, say), the more surface area they have. As a result, there is more reaction between the flux and the balls. If stirring in more flux fixes your old solder paste, good on you. It's like dumping water into old latex paint or paint thinner into old can of alkyd. If you intend to paint your house, use fresh paint.

[@TheArtofRepair]

Your 100% right on this Robert! I actually have been doing some deeper digging on this subject latly since weird enough, dry solder paste has become the wanted norm in the repair industry, vs higher flux content paste. So I thought pretty soon it would be a good video to redo. And ill make sure to address this comment and make sure people know whats really happening. I feel like the more I spread into the industry, the more I find I don't know, but happily learn and reinform as new info presents itself. Hope to see you in the comment section again! Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment.

[@roberth5435]

@@TheArtofRepair Chipquik makes a two-part solder paste, with metal separate from flux. Before it's mixed, it has a published shelf life of two years. Once mixed, it'll keep in the refrigerator for six months. That said, published expiry dates are often a way for manufacturers to sell more product. NARCAN, carried by the police and not used very often, gets thrown out and replaced every thirty-six months. That's a good way to sell more product. As you point out, if you aren't using solder paste in a printer or an automated stencil/squeegee system and you are inspecting your work, stirring in some new flux is probably a valid approach.

[@KimoKimochii]

they also make their lids super cheap with no rubber seals for a air tight seal so it dries faster than it should even with the lid closed

[@2010stoof]

My new chip quik looks like the "dry nasty " stuff at the beginning lol and it was made only a month ago. I use plastic wrap over the mouth before closing. I buy the jars, transfer into large syringe (messy but easier than smaller ones), then use a connector between large and small syringe to transfer(leur lock adapter) and have smaller amount and put jar in fridge One jar is 391ax that says doesn't need refrigeration. But still do.

[@DrShaheemGuides]

Wow. Need more like this

[@slavric]

I did something similar with lead free solder paste. Obviously the paste I was adding wasn't compatible with the original one and results were awful to say the least. It almost made me cry. Too bad I can't share a picture here, so you could cry too.

[@denise-oc6fd]

😂😂😂

[@pablovasquez4827]

Justin this trick is very good, congratulations

[@mudassariqbal6880]

Another Useful and informative Video . Thumbs up for Justin !!!

[@TheArtofRepair]

Thank you! I appreciate the view and the like!

[@turanamo]

3:07 cut to the chase

[@farpsy]

Added to sponsorblock ;p

[@trinitytwo14992]

TheArtofRepair, or anyone, I got brand new tip tinner and its as hard as rock, is there any way to restore it or do I need to get a new one please?

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool, I have a Radioshack rosin solder flux, that's 29 years old I think :-) It's not hard or anything, it's very dark amber. I wonder if it's safe to use (nothing mission critical). God bless, Rev. 21:4

[@gladu2487]

"add more flux" looks like this is the answer to everything when it comes to soldering

[@TheArtofRepair]

Lol, you know, your about as close to right on that as you can be. 99% of soldering issues do seem to be fixed by flux! haha

[@ronniec8370]

The flux i bought is dry like a rock, how do i make it soft again? Thanks.

[@curtisnewton895]

why would flux activate at temp room ? I got tons of different flux, they remain fluid what sort of flux do you use ?

[@MrKosnireggae]

Thank you very much for info

[@chiraghprajapati]

Which flux I have to add in paste?

[@svsv9]

So, let's say for reballing an Apple chestnut IC like, it is not a good a idea to restore my dried soldering paste? Regardless I have a good quality flux to "repair" my dried expensive Chinese soldering paste?

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Justin!

[@SURGE101]

What’s the best solder paste to buy???jay

[@ItalianRetroGuy]

I have a feeling the stirring action is what fixes it and not the flux

[@bishkabu]

Justin thanks for sharing that great info! your videos are great!

[@christopherconkright1317]

Be honest i work on drones I was just thinking how nice it be to have solder paste that is thinker. I could drag the motor wire through it hold it over the pad heat it up. Instead of tin the pad tin the wire blend them together without crushing them. If i could heat it and poof that be awesome

[@redpillcommando]

What if my flux is a little bit dry. Can I put a bit of 99% Isopropyl in it?

[@TylrVncnt]

Which type of flux would be best for this? NoClean?

[@TheArtofRepair]

I think really it depends on what your application is, if you use a specific type and know its phase changes well and it works for your application i would go with that.

[@TylrVncnt]

TheArtofRepair - wow, thank you so much for the (amazingly) quick reply!! Hope you’re staying safe and doing well right now out their in Asia All the best

[@jeremydavis4689]

Thank you so much for showing me this!!!

[@TheArtofRepair]

No worries bro, there is more tips where that came from!

[@MartenElectric]

Thanks nerd 😊

[@rotanal9563]

Hi, very interesting video, thanks! How do I manage what you have explained, after my solder paste has been saved inside a syringe? Putting it in a sealed envelope in the refrigerator did not help to preserve it from disseccating!

[@TheArtofRepair]

Honestly, paste in a syringe is pretty hard to save in general, this technique is aimed more for little pots of paste. =(

[@veenaashok3258]

@@TheArtofRepair gentlyy heat the tube

[@denise-oc6fd]

​@@TheArtofRepair Can I put a little liquid flux in the syringe and pull the plunger back and forth while holding my finger over the tip of the syringe

[@denise-oc6fd]

​@@TheArtofRepair The syringe is brand new and im making some jewelry. Its kind of dry when I press the plunger and the solder comes out. And can I use another syringe type soldering paste that is cheaper then SOLDER - IT Silver Solder for jewelry . If it says Silver Solder Paste can I use it to Solder or it paste that only like a flux

[@rtoebak76]

I have liquid flux and more solid flux. It worked perfectly. I have a syringe and take out what i need to put on. Clean the needle and i,m done. It,s for hobby use only.

[@skykalaicreations]

Can I use IPA for dilute this? , I saw some of the chinese videos of PCB repair work, they had a soldering lead with the density of Water, I dont know How I express that, I need a soldering lead which is compatible with normal syringy which we are used in hospital. I juat attached a link for your reference. Link : kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGqTY5p9rrtrrac

[@TheAMGReviewers]

i used a corroded tip for my first solder project...was a nightmare but had a workaround by melting further up the tip then dragging the molten solder down to the work piece and it actually worked(i have a working calc to prove it XD), needless to say i have refreshed the tip by sanding and also got my dad to make me one out of an old solid brass bolt, both work wonders. i have a £20 solder station and im not paying about £6 per conical tip when its just a hobby XD i'll just make do and mend

[@ConsciousBreaks]

You should use a brass sponge for your solder tips

[@TheAMGReviewers]

@@ConsciousBreaks I meant the whole tip was rusted lol, I had a brass cleaner and sponge

[@ttkoh123]

You should have done a before and after application and reflow to demonstrate improvement.

[@TheArtofRepair]

Yea, hindsight sucks =( Iv contemplated going back and doing new versions of some of my older videos to make improvements. This is one of them =D

[@2010stoof]

Um your cruddy solder paste looks just like my brand new jars .... And it was made a month ago lol. Its chip quick

[@Ruva_Lab]

good video continue like that I already did suscribed on your channel, greetings

[@TheArtofRepair]

Hey brother, no worries! There are plenty more videos to come. Thanks for watching!

[@xmenxwk]

tried it before even watching video, it didn't work good and created mess on board. I'm sure the flux I used wasn't made for this purpose. But then again, what for.

[@TheArtofRepair]

How did it mess up, did you mix it inside the container? Without being there, I would suggest adding small amounts at a time until it has the consistency of the OG flux. Might even be a good idea to match both the flux maker with the solder paste maker, as they may have a closer formula than what your introducing. I have personally used many types of flux to fix my paste, Its just about doing it in the OG container, and adding small amounts till it feels proper.

[@xmenxwk]

The solder paste started to look good after adding flux, even better than before. But then after reflowing it in an oven, it created small solder balls and flux spread through all board, and it looked complete mess. Components did stick together, maybe not electrically but they didn't come out with pulling pressure.

[@orhanyor]

thats exactly what happened to me. i think its all about the brand of the flux seems like they are not all compatible for this prosedure.

[@kjmeljuga]

Too much flux. The only thing that happened is the solvent Evaporated. It was likely rubbing alcohol 99% or acetone. It would be better just to add that fluid in small amounts back in rather than adding more flux which will just make a mess when u solder

[@Conservator.]

Flux itself is made of resin and a solvent. So it should suffice to just add the solvent.

[@noel1637]

Which solvent would you use then?

[@Conservator.]

@@noel1637 Isopropyl alcohol and some glycerin to stabilise it.

[@denise-oc6fd]

​@@Conservator. Thanks I have some 91% alcohol and some glycerin. I guess I will just mix a little together an then mix it in with my paste. Hope I dont set anything on fire

[@Conservator.]

@@denise-oc6fd ok 👍 Just to be sure: Isopropyl alcohol is not the same as ‘alcohol’ (what’s in liquor).

[@denise-oc6fd]

@@Conservator. Its more like rubbing alcohol

[@kwstaskadett3502]

thank you for the info!! now i will not throw it to the garbege... :D

[@Nick-zp7hk]

👍👍👍

[@alram5664]

I think you just save me time and money. No idea what I'm doing, so maybe the money part will not be saved!

[@artineogda]

I'm Justin and this is green screen

[@TheArtofRepair]

lol, i miss my green screen, I dont have it now that im in china =(

[@gsmgsa]

Man, thanks for tge tip.. but like.. u could have spread this info into a single sentence..

[@tomvienna1518]

I prefer using Isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol is the only thing that 'leaves' the solderpaste when it dries out. A lot of blabla ....

[@rtoebak76]

Tom myLens . How long does it stay good? Isopropyl evaporates fast.

[@tomvienna1518]

Hi Robert, Some days but of course this depends on surface size, temperature, consistency etc. But if it dried out and became too hard I simply add some more alcohol again. And a bottle of Isopropyl is really cheap and you can use it for many other purposes like cleaning electronic devices, preparing for painting, ... I did not experience any loss of quality even after some "rejuvenating" with alcohol.

[@ttkoh123]

Bye Bye solder paste

[@RafalBielawski]

lol shit chinese paste? and flux? together like big shit not good solder paste :) buy good solder paste like KOKI or something like that

[@TheArtofRepair]

Never had a single issue with the cheapest of paste. Oxidation and Flex heat breakdown are not tied to brands. This can be an issue across all brands and makes.

[@tysondrg6750]

You speack to much and 0 work

[@rameshwarchauhan2363]

You are belong to british