Desoldering Braid/Wick

Also known as solder wick, desoldering wick, desoldering wire, and various other titles, desoldering braid allows you to remove unwanted solder using flux and braided copper wire. It's suitable for both professional factory settings and personal DIY use and is a relatively inexpensive, safe, and effective desoldering solution.

As one of North America's leading suppliers, we're proud to stock Chemtronics Soder-Wick, TechSpray, MG Chemicals, and many other renowned manufacturers you can rely on. Browse our product range online and use the search filters to narrow down your results by manufacturer, material, length, and more.

You can also read more about desoldering braid and how and why it's used below.

What is desoldering braid?

Desoldering braid is a simple and effective product made from braided pieces of copper wire that helps remove solder when it needs re-working. It's also useful for removing components that have been soldered together.

Solder wick itself typically comes on a coil and is available with or without flux. Flux is a highly reactive chemical agent that makes the process of desoldering easier, though it's important to clean away excess flux once finished to avoid causing corrosion. It's possible to apply flux retroactively to unfluxed wick by dipping the tip of the braid into a chosen flux.

How does desoldering braid work?

The way copper desoldering braid works is simple. By placing the braid or wick on a soldered joint or area and applying heat with a soldering iron, the flux will activate once it reaches melting point. At this point the unwanted solder is drawn up the wick and absorbed, removing it from where it had been applied. If not using flux, the same process still applies as the copper wick heats up.

You can then cut off the section of used wick with sharp cutters for a clean finish. If the solder wick becomes saturated but you still have more solder to remove, simply trim this section and continue until the task is completed.

Where is desoldering wick commonly used?

Desoldering braid can be used in many applications where soldering needs to be re-worked or undone. It's especially popular in electronics for:

• Cleaning unwanted solder from items such as printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Re-working or removing old solder that no longer functions effectively
• Deconstructing electrical components that have been soldered together

What are the benefits of using solder wick?

Solder wick is a simple product that requires little in the way of specialist knowledge or equipment to get started with. Its other key advantages to users include:

• Reducing re-work or repair time by absorbing unwanted solder
• Minimizing the risk of heat damage to delicate equipment and components such as electronic circuit boards
• Low cost in comparison to other desoldering methods
• Availability in a range of sizes depending on the amount of solder you need to remove

How to choose an appropriate desoldering braid

The first step is to choose an appropriate size of wick for the area of solder you need to remove. Your solder wick should have a similar width to the solder itself. If you expect to use it repeatedly, it's worth investing in wicks of different widths to prepare for any desoldering needs. We stock wicks in a range of lengths and widths.

The second is to choose an appropriate flux type if using it. Options include wick with a rosin-based flux, such as Chemtronics Soder-Wick with rosin, which works exceptionally fast. Other variations include no-clean flux that avoids the need for cleaning after desoldering, and unfluxed wick that can have specific flux added as needed.

Order quality desoldering braid online today

If you're searching for desoldering wick near you, we can deliver the items you need as quickly as possible. We're one of North America's largest suppliers to electronics professionals and hobbyists and have the stock and shipping capabilities to match.

View our product range and filter your search to find a suitable product. If you have any questions about desoldering braid and how to choose the correct type, don't hesitate to contact our team. You can also read related guides on our expert hub.