QuentinD wrote:P.S., Why doesn't steel like my thin electronics solder? I found it necessary to use miniscule amounts of flux to get the job done, but by the corrosion it looks like I brushed the rail sides with it! The tops are clear, but I've been using 400-grit to clean the sides.
Thanks,
Quentin
Nicely done Quentin...
As someone who has tried steel rail and failed (one of these days I'll post the pictures and the story) then I understand your pain.
Even though you are using tiny amounts of flux, what happens when you apply the iron to the flux is it boils off from the joint. It will then splatter over more of the rail, and you may even have flux vapour condensing back on the rail.
I would suggest (if you're not doing it already) using a suitable neutralising agent and a very good scrub in running water, followed by a thorough drying with a blast from a hairdryer or similar.
HTH,
Flymo (not a fan of steel rail, no matter how good it looks)