For some people, solder wick is a tool of last resort and they try to avoid using it.
However, it becomes a necessity when moving from through-hole to surface-mount devices.
In a recent video, YouTube creator [nanofix] provides various useful tips for using solder wick more effectively and reducing the risk of damage to PCBs.
One of the recommendations is to cut short segments of the wick to reduce heat dissipation along the length of the wick.
It is also important to ensure there is enough solder on the soldering iron tip and to periodically re-tin it to replace the solder absorbed by the wick.
The creator also notes that adding eutectic lead-based solder to the pads can make the desoldering process easier as it has a lower melting point than lead-free solder.
