Reflowing lifted SMD pads, shop technique that works
Posted: Thu May 14, 2026 5:00 am
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:
Tools: flux paste, fine kynar wire (30AWG), hot air at 280C, microscope (or 10x loupe), UV-cure mask.
Steps:
- Clean exposed trace with flux brush + IPA
- Tin trace with thin solder, ~1mm exposed copper visible
- Solder kynar wire to trace, 2mm long
- Bridge wire to the SMD pad location (now floating)
- Place component, reflow with hot air
- Cover with UV mask for mechanical strength