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Reflowing lifted SMD pads, shop technique that works

Posted: Thu May 14, 2026 5:00 am
by alex_repair
Common repair: lifted pad from rough rework. Customer brings phone or board, pad torn off, trace exposed. Throw-away rate dropping kasi here is how I save 70% of them.

Tools: flux paste, fine kynar wire (30AWG), hot air at 280C, microscope (or 10x loupe), UV-cure mask.

Steps:
  1. Clean exposed trace with flux brush + IPA
  2. Tin trace with thin solder, ~1mm exposed copper visible
  3. Solder kynar wire to trace, 2mm long
  4. Bridge wire to the SMD pad location (now floating)
  5. Place component, reflow with hot air
  6. Cover with UV mask for mechanical strength
Hardest part: keeping the wire flat against the board so the component sits level. Practice on dead boards first.