Always Preheat First.
Place your PCB into your fixture above the ZT-1 AIRBATH as shown at the left. Begin the preheat process by flipping the rocker switch the "Warm." mode (Recommended setting: 150°C)

Dip Swab Into Flux.
As PCB pre-heats, insert a small anti-static foam swab into flux as shown. (Recommended: A thin anti-static foam swab and tack flux NCF-0014 No-Clean Flux).

Apply Flux. Make application of flux to each lead/land interface of the targeted SMD to be removed. (Note: For graphic contrast, a white foam swab is shown at left).

Select LOWMELT®. Take a single strand of certified LOWMELT® DeSolder wire from out of its tube as shown in the right photo. (Note: Only use certified Zephyrtronics alloy.)

Apply LOWMELT®. Using economy and in a random manner, melt LOWMELT® into existing joints of the SMD only as each lead requires. Co-metalization begins.

Because no two PCB's are the same and some joints will always have more solder than others, some leads will need more LOWMELT®. Typically (not always), an SMD's four corners need a bit more.

Lift and Remove SMD.
Using a soft suction lifting device such as the ZT-3-MIL AIRPICK, lift SMD up and off of the PCB. (Note: Use of the ESD safe ZT-3 guarantees no lifting of pads.)

Easy Clean Up. Dip Swab Into Flux. Maintaining pre-heating at 150°C, insert anti-static foam swab into flux as shown. (Recommended: the SFL Anti-Static Swab and a tack flux  NCF-0014 NoClean Flux).

Remove Excess Solder.
Using fluxed swab, gently push residual solder into a single sphere and remove with solder sucker or push up onto a card. (For graphic contrast, white foam swab is shown at left.)

Repeat Step 5b.
A good rule of thumb is to repeat the cleaning with a new, large foam swab dipped again in the flux. This second flux swabbing will polish your pads in preparation for new SMD placement.

Swab PCB with Flux Remover.
As PCB cools under ZT-1 AirBath, swab area where SMD was removed with Flux Remover as shown.

 Video Demonstration: SMD Removal & LowMelt®

Inspect.
Inspect your substrate and pads. Turn off ZT-1 AirBath. Note: the entire removal process was with non-contact warm air below 150°C.

Please note: Zephyrtronics has packaged all of the above described chemicals, anti-static swabs, LowMelt® DeSolder and more in our LMK Benchtop Kits...our BluePrint for the Bench™

The Amazing LowMelt® DeSolder is available right now in our convenient storage/shipping tubes (shown at right) in either of the two following popular quantities (Each shipment includes a Certificate of Metallurgical Compliance from the Zephyrtronics Quality Group and MSDS).