Wick, or solder wick, is fine copper braid impregnated with flux. Pressed onto a joint under a hot iron, it draws molten solder up into the braid by capillary action, clearing bridges, removing excess solder and flattening pads before a new part goes on. Each pass needs fresh braid, because a saturated section stops working, and too much pressure or heat lifts pads.
Heard on the job
Wick the bridge on pins 12 and 13, then add a touch of flux and reflow both joints.
Also heard as
- solder wick
- desoldering braid
- braid
Related terms
Bridging
Solder defect in which solder joins two pads or leads that should be separate, creating a short.
Rework
Removing and replacing parts or fixing joints on an assembled board to correct defects or make changes.
Tack
To solder one or two pins of a part first to hold it in place before soldering the rest.