Customer told my solder joints were too shiny, and he was right

Turns out I was using too much flux and overheating my connections. Has anyone else had a customer call them out on something that actually improved your work?

3 comments

3 Comments

diana_bell742mo agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, a lot of folks mix up "too shiny" with "too much heat" when it's really about the flux burning. Too much flux leaves a glossy residue that looks exactly like what you're describing, not overheated joints. Ngl, I've had people complain about my joints looking "wet" before I realized I was just cooking off the rosin. Tbh, it's an easy mistake because everyone says a good joint should be shiny, but there's a difference between clean shine and that burnt flux look.

gavinwood4d ago

Right, there's a good YouTube channel called 'Practical Soldering Tips' that breaks this down perfectly. They did a whole video showing side by side what too much heat looks like versus too much flux residue. The heat damage actually makes the joint look frosty or crystalline, not wet at all. But the leftover flux, especially if you don't clean it off, leaves that tacky, glossy coating people mistake for a perfect joint. Really changed how I inspect my own work after watching that. It's all about knowing what you're actually looking at under the magnifier.

emma_young2mo ago

My uncle Tom had this exact problem with his soldering iron back in '98. He thought the joints were too hot but it was just him globbing on flux like it was going out of style. Spent a whole afternoon chasing that glossy look before he figured it out. Funny how the little things can throw you off like that.