[sdiy] Hard-to-solder "Dick Smith" proto board

[Scott Gravenhorst]

Has anyone else experienced this?  I started a project
using "Dick Smith" brand protoboard.  I'm not happy
with the layout of the strips either, but the really
annoying part is that it doesn't like to take solder.
I've had the board for a few years, sealed in the plastic
bag.  The copper looks *brand* new, super glossy, like 
polished.  With other brands I can solder with 1 or 2 
seconds of contact, this one requires about 4 seconds.  
And the solder doesn't seem to want to flow much.  I'm 
thinking there's some wierd coating on it.  It's the only
one I've ever purchased, fortunately.

I'm considering burnishing the board with emery paper.  Any 
suggestions before I try that?  Or is that the best way?
  
Doing this stuff is hard enough now that I'm older and 
the eyes aren't as good, but when the solder won't flow, 
it really irks me.

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-- Scott Gravenhorst | LegoManiac / Lego Trains / RIS 1.5
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