Solder Wicks and Desoldering Braids

What Is Solder Wick?

Desoldering braid — commonly called solder wick — is a pre-fluxed copper braid used to remove solder from PCB joints, allowing components to be replaced and excess solder (such as bridging) to be cleared. The soldering iron is applied to the wick as it sits on the solder joint. When both are brought up to the solder’s melting point, the flux activates and capillary action draws the molten solder up into the braid.

For a full overview of soldering equipment, solder wire, and rework tools, visit our Soldering, Desoldering & Rework hub.

How to Use Solder Wick

1. Select the right width — choose a wick width that matches or slightly exceeds the pad or joint you’re working on.
2. Position the wick — lay the end of the braid flat against the solder joint.
3. Apply the iron — press the soldering iron tip on top of the wick, not directly on the pad. Use a clean, tinned tip for best heat transfer.
4. Wait for absorption — hold steady for 2–4 seconds until you see the solder wick up into the braid. Do not drag or scrub.
5. Lift cleanly — remove the iron and wick together in one motion while the solder is still liquid. Never pull a cooled wick — it can lift pads.
6. Cut and repeat — trim the used portion of wick and move to a fresh section for the next joint.

Choosing the Right Width

Solder wick is available in widths typically ranging from 0.6mm to 6mm. Matching width to the job improves efficiency and reduces the risk of pad damage:

• Fine (0.6–1.5mm) — ideal for SMT components, fine-pitch ICs, and 0402/0603 passives.
• Medium (2–3mm) — general purpose; works well for most through-hole and mid-size SMT joints.
• Wide (4–6mm) — best for large pads, ground planes, connector pins, and solder bridges across multiple pads.

Flux Type: No-Clean vs. Rosin

The flux embedded in the wick activates during heating to improve wetting and solder flow into the braid. Two main types are available:

• No-Clean Flux — leaves minimal residue that is generally safe to leave on the board. Best for production environments where post-cleaning is not part of the process.
• Rosin (RMA) Flux — more aggressive activation, excellent for stubborn joints and older solder. Residue should be cleaned after use with an appropriate flux remover.

Match your wick flux type to your solder paste and process chemistry to avoid compatibility issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pressing too hard — excessive pressure can lift pads. Let heat and capillary action do the work.
• Wrong iron temperature — too low and the solder won’t flow; too high and you risk pad or component damage. 315–370°C (600–700°F) is a typical starting range for leaded solder; lead-free may require higher.
• Reusing spent wick — once a section is saturated, it loses effectiveness. Always advance to a fresh section.
• Dirty or oxidized iron tip — poor tip condition dramatically reduces heat transfer. Keep the tip clean and tinned.
• Wick too wide for the pad — oversized wick can wick solder from adjacent pads unintentionally.

Solder Wick vs. Desoldering Pump

Both tools remove solder, but they suit different situations:

• Solder wick is better for fine-pitch SMT work, cleaning up small bridges, and situations where precision matters more than speed.
• Desoldering pump (solder sucker) is faster for through-hole components and large joints where volume of solder removal is the priority.

Many technicians keep both on hand and choose based on the job.

Brand Comparison

• Chemtronics Soder-Wick — industry standard, available in no-clean and rosin flux, wide range of widths. Trusted in aerospace and high-reliability applications.
• MG Chemicals — reliable general-purpose wick at a competitive price point, good for production environments.
• Techspray — strong no-clean formulations, well-suited for electronics manufacturing and field service.
• Easybraid — specialty braids including ESD-safe options and high-flux formulations for difficult joints.

Browse All Desoldering Braids & Solder Wicks at MTE Solutions →

If you have any questions about which wick is right for your process, reach out to our team — we’re happy to help.