Wave Solder Machine Maintenance

Back in the days when pots, skillets, etc. were made of cast iron, vegetable oils were used to "season" the iron to prevent rusting and also from the food sticking to the pot during cooking. It would be reasonable to believe that you could use the same process for your heaters. This would create a coating that would stop any rusting of the materials. Rust can introduce foreign particulates that would be detrimental to your solder process or PCB's. You would need to bake the oil and change it to a solid coating. Using heat, watch until white smoke first appears from the oil burning off. Immediately stop adding heat, let the part cool down, repeat as necessary until the desired coating thickness is achieved.

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Unless your wave is very, very, very old - you are having your leg pulled. Or someone in your maintenance dept. is a little out of it. Most pre-heaters are already coated to prevent rust. Maybe the coating has flaked away, if so, I'd suggest using a high temp paint to prevent it from rusting. Unless you're making omelets, then stick with the vegetable oil.

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