Good SMT rework is 60% flux, 20% isopropyl alcohol, 10% magnification and 10% practice. The trick is surface tension - if the surfaces are properly wetted, surf

Good SMT rework is 60% flux, 20% isopropyl alcohol, 10% magnification and 10% practice. The trick is surface tension - if the surfaces are properly wetted, surface tension pulls the part into alignment as if by magic. Achieving good wetting is as simple as getting the solderable surfaces spotlessly clean and deoxidized, then using copious amounts of flux. If your preparation is good, the parts almost solder themselves. Fine-pitch BGA rework can be genuinely challenging, but the core skills are remarkably straightforward. A complete novice can rework QFNs and 0603 passives with very little practice if they're taught the correct techniques. I actively prefer working with SMT over through-hole.