[Elecraft] Soldering Iron Tip Contamination?

[Rick Lellinger]

Greetings,

I'm an experienced kitbuilder and in all my years of building experience I
have not seen a problem such as this one. I am using a brand new WS50
Soldering Station with an ETH tip and 62/36/2 Kester solder.  Everything was
soldering wonderfully until I used my solder sucker to remove a part. I also
used a bit of solder wick and am wondering if the gunk is rosin flux from
the wick. The ETH now has black stuff on it and it has become impossible to
clean/tin. I have tried the # 600 Emery cloth approach and am having no luck
at getting the tip cleaned, tinned, and usuable.   Increasing the tip
temperature has not helped, either. I realize that the iron tips are plated
and so I don't want to use anything too abrasive. Any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated as I cannot continue building with the tips in this
condition.

Thanks!

Rick L N4FBW/6