Carbon buildup on the tip affects the temperature of the tip. Lora S. Irish’s website, www.carvingpatterns.com, has terrific woodburning tips and advises you to lay fine grit sandpaper on a glazed tile surface and quickly pull the tip across the paper. It not only removes the carbon, but also sharpens the tip.
To clean tips for solid-state units, ALWAYS consult the instructions that come with the unit or where you purchased it. Lora’s techique may be recommended or you may be instructed to use special honing compunds with a strop. Be aware that sharpening does thin the metal of the wire-tipped style of pens, which makes then burn hotter.
