GeoLane at PTD dot NET wrote in message
...
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:44:55 -0500, Ignoramus23641
wrote:

I am trying to solder a brass fitting to the fuel tank.


Anyway, the tank, while not exploding, just does not, flat out, accept
solder. The solder just balls on top of the steel, does NOT wet it at
all, and rolls away when exposed to the gases from the propane torch.

I tried a couple of fluxes and nothing helps.

i

You've already accomplished what you wanted to do, but I'll mention
that I've experienced this before too. What has worked on one or two
occasions was to scratch the solder into the steel with a screwdriver,
coarse steel wool, sandpaper or the tip of the soldering iron while
all was still fluid. That made the solder stick to the steel,
"tinning" the steel first.

A steel or stainless brush is great for this. It also solves a lot of
problems with soldering unknown aluminum alloys.

The flux that I use is made by Kester and
is a pink liquid. I bought it at a yard sale years ago. I have no
idea if it's still available.

RWL