ready flux and regular flux

[Former_Member]

hi. I realized to work with paste flux is a pain in ass. I want to try liquid flux. I see that there are several kinds. Main two are ready flux (that has pickle in it too), and just flux. I am not sure how beneficial the ready flux is. Does that mean I don't have to pickle the metal after? How does that work? Which one is better?
Thanks once again!!!!!!
az

[NanceDesigns]

I'm sure more will give answers when this question is found and I have not used that product. I have used a few barrier fluxes to protect the metal and plain flux for soldering. I am now using rio grande s liquid which is pink in a bottle as it seemed the least dangerous to breathe. I like that it also protects against fire scale but it isn't a perfect barrier. So I pickle but depending on how long the heat was on the metal it may only need a minute of pickle. The most expensive barrier I save for special situations and it washes with soap and water. Borax powder available at pharmacies mixed with alcohol and put it in air tight glass is an excellent barrier but remember that most turn glassy brown. Good as an indicator of how ready the solder is to flow and then it clears but usually patches of crud need to be pickled off. I doubt you can get away from pickle but you can find safe alternatives others will tell you.

[Former_Member]

Is "ready flux" similar to Batterns and other "self-pickling" fluxes? (These are the day-glo yellow liquid fluxes.) They do not eliminate the need for pickle. The "self-pickling" is a cleaning action before the solder flows, to ensure good clean metal surfaces and a good joint. You don't specify whether you want a barrier flux or a soldering flux, but the yellow liquids are good soldering fluxes, but not as effective as a barrier flux.