Old solder - hard to melt/flow.

[Winkybiker]

I had to repair an earth wire that had become detached from the brass shielding on my 1964/65 Jag. I could NOT get the old solder to melt, even with a very hot iron. I initially thought that brass was forming a too-efficient heatsink, but I had no trouble getting new solder to flow and do a good job of re-securing the wire. I don't have much experience with very old solder. Is it usually this difficult to get it to melt?

[Fiddy]

Try adding a bit of fresh solder.

[Winkybiker]

Try adding a bit of fresh solder.

Yes, thanks. I ended up doing that and it worked very well.

[Marc]

Had similar issue recently and yes fresh solder works. Also not pushing iron tip too hard against what you are trying to melt!