Any tips on soldering old NOS through-hole componants?

[hymentoptera]

Like the title says.

I have tons of"new old stock" or otherwise old parts in my bins with tarnished leads

Is it best to just swab them with the flux pen, or should I apply a more liberal and more aggressive flux paste? I've also read about people scraping leads with the flat of a razor blade to scrap of some of the oxides, too? Any opinions on this technique? Should I use a different temperature? Any preferred fluxes, etc? Steel wool?

I just never seem to get quiet as good a flow on these older parts and I'm worried I'm doing it wrong. Any tips and experience would be greatly appreciated!  ;D Thanks!

 

[dmp]

Interested in ideas for this also.
I find that unless I mechanically clean (sand, scape, file) the solder doesn't flow and attach well.

 

[JohnRoberts]

If part leads are tarnished you can often tin the leads with the flux already in solder. For problem leads consider adding some liquid flux. If the leads still don't take solder consider hitting them with steel wool or fine sandpaper, but if the leads are that bad, maybe the parts need to be abandoned.

JR

 

[walter]

I strip the lead with needle nose pliers. Hold the component in one hand, and gently grab the lead with the pliers and rake it clean. Take a few passes as you spin the component to get the full surface. This doesn't work with smooth pliers. I've also used fine grit sand paper.

 

[t9crepair]

Light sandpaper or steel wool for me. I have hundreds of oxidized resistors and capacitors from the 80's I have to clean for use all the time. Sometimes they take solder, sometimes they don't and then get tossed.

 

[bruce0]

If the part is a 2cent resistor, chuck it.
If the part is a $1 inductor, touch it with flux and use higher heat on the iron
If it is a $100 UTC transformer... send it to me.

 

[hymentoptera]

All great tips, guys. Thanks!

So it looks like I'll just tinker and come up with my own combination of tricks to improve my technique.

Some of the parts in question include vintage orange drops, lemon drops, and tropical fish, etc, which can be worth several dollars each, and I'm adamant about using them. Carbon comps, micas, stuff that tube amp guys probably know so well and deal with all the time.

Can't see any sense in chucking them in the bin considering the insane amount of money I have into this collection