Special soldering iron tip cleaner and tinner cleans off oxidation from dirty iron tips. When the iron tip does not hold a small bead of solder, try cleaning the tip by plunging it into the iron tip tinner and cleaner. Give the iron a 360-degree twist, remove the tip from the cleaner, and clean off the tip with a damp sponge. This tip cleaner should only periodically be used, and I tend to use it only when done with soldering for the day or when the brass ball cleaner does not get the tip clean.
