Branding irons are simple devices. However, you still need to take good care of them. And this is true about conventional models as well. They contain a flame that heats up. So, you need to follow a proper procedure to ensure that the iron keeps working properly. In this article, we are going to talk about a few tips that will help you keep your iron in good condition. Read on to find out more.
What you should do:
First of all, the surface must be dry and clean. If the surface is wet, it may result in unsatisfactory results. While working, make sure you put on safety equipment, such as eye protection. Also, if smoke or steam comes out while you are working, you should be covered.
The brand should be placed horizontally. This will make sure that the temperature of the handle is cooler than that of the head. It’s not a good idea to make haste as the iron should be used only when it’s ready.
In the case of an electric unit, make sure that it reaches normal temperature before you put it to use. For manual units, it’s better to use a bucket of water to reduce the iron temperature. For electric units, the length of the head should be reasonable based on the heating element.
Don’t forget to hold the device steadily and put enough pressure on the head. Apart from this, you should try it on different materials to find out the level of pressure each material requires. Putting pressure for too long is not a good idea.
What you should not do:
It’s not a good idea to submerge the unit in water for cooling it down. Similarly, don’t store the iron vertically or it may cause damage to the internal components. Pushing it for too long is not recommended either. Even if you put a little bit of pressure, the heat will still transfer.
Don’t hit the iron on anything solid for knocking off debris. If you have more than one branding heads, it’s not a good idea to leave them on when not in use. Doing so will make it difficult for you to switch them due to fusion.
You may not want to make the mistake of leaving the iron running for too long. The reason is that it may cause damage to the lead or metal.
Lastly, you may want to make sure that the brands are always clean. For this purpose, you should wash them from time to time. Besides, the brand will take a lot longer to cool off. Therefore, you may not want to touch the brand unless you are sure that the temperature is not too high.
Long story short, if you follow the tips given in this article, it will make it a lot easier for you to take care of your branding iron. Plus, you will be able to get the most out of the unit.
