Soldering gun maintenance

I use a damp sponge

Start with a clean soldering tip. If it's a new tip, use sandpaper or steel wool so the metal shines. With an old tip, you may need to use a file to remove badly oxidized areas. Once the tip is clean and shiny, press the soldering gun trigger to high and as soon as it's hot, apply a coating of solder to the tip. Use a rag to spread the solder evenly over the tip. The materials to be joined must be clean, dry, and free of grease and oil. Use a wire brush or fine sandpaper to get the surfaces clean and shiny. Make a good mechanical joint. Crimp terminals with a crimping tool or pliers, and twist wires together tightly.