Years back when I was doing similar soldering jobs on tanks and doing car body repairs with wiping metal (similar to solder) I use to wipe the joint quickly with a dry cotton rag or paper towel while the solder was still plastic. This worked well for me and if the joint wasn’t quite right I would reheat and repeat the wiping.
NOTE.I have used a gas torch, to reheat, but be careful not to get it too hot and oxodise the metal. A good electric soldering with plenty of “grunt” is possibly the safest bet.
Monte NZ
Mumbles Canada Member - 2 Years Replies: 5451 Topics: 291
I filled in some low spots this morning with more solder, just for cosmetic reasons.
Did a little more soldering, and got the first coat of primer on the tank.
Looks like I’m going with “Light Ford Gray” tractor paint on the tank…..
same as I did on the cylinder.
I learned the “wet rag” to wipe excess solder back in 1982 when I built my house,
plumbing everything in copper tubing. The first time I turned the water on I was
proud I didn’t have any leaks……. that lasted about 30 seconds when one
joint blew apart…….. that I forgot to solder!