soldering copper help

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Hello new to posting been reading and learning for a while.I need to know if anyone knows how to re-tin a couple of soldering irons that were picked up in sale. They were dirty so I wire brushed tip and cleaned them up.They heat up but solder wont stick to tip.Thanks jd
Reply:You will need to file the ends clean.  After that you chemically clean.  The proper material is sal amoniac block that you rub the hot tip on then apply your solder immediately.  I am not sure of the correct spelling or if it is available any more.  If you have filed the ends clean you can heat and dip in paste flux while applying solder.  You can spread the solder around using a moist cotton rag gently spreading it over the tip.  Don't over heat or you will oxidize the copper and be back where you started.  I used to have a bottom of a coffee can and used that as a location to melt my solder on and then it was simply a matter of rubbing the hot copper on the piece of tin plate that had leftover solder bits on it.  Any piece of flattened tin can material  is an ideal working surface.
Reply:Welcome JD The wire-brushing didn't leave an oil residue on the copper did it?If so, you'll have to cut the oil with strong solvent.Along with Lotechman's tips, try wiping the hot iron with  a clean water-soaked rag.Good Luck
Reply:I like to apply the new tin coat as the heat is on the rise. It helps find the sweet spot to tin the cleaned up tip with no more heat than necessary. Just dab at it while it's heating up and soon enough the solder will start to flow, then get after it.  Lot of times folks will plug them in and walk off and come back well after it's been hot awhile. By then you've got a burnt spot somewhere on the tip.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanYou will need to file the ends clean.  After that you chemically clean.  The proper material is sal amoniac block that you rub the hot tip on then apply your solder immediately.  I am not sure of the correct spelling or if it is available any more.  .
Reply:Thanks for all the help. As always right information at the right time.jd