Use flux with desoldering braid for best results

[EBRAddict]

It seems so obvious I'm almost ashamed to admit I just learned about this watching YouTube (I think bigclivedotcom)

[somnif]

Yeah, the wick I use supposedly has dry flux in it (and it certainly leaves enough brown goop behind for me to believe it), but I've found it works a whole lot better with a couple drops of liquid flux at the end.

Messy results, but better than trying to drill out the pad I suppose.

[thesmokingman]

in case you want one more pro tip, add fresh solder to the mix too

[davent]

I have a tiny tub of paste flux i'll dip the braid into if need be.

dave

[pickdropper]

in case you want one more pro tip, add fresh solder to the mix too

Adding solder actually makes more of a difference, IMHO, but both help.

[wgc]

Agree, counterintuitive but adding fresh solder makes a big difference. It helps distribute the heat and starts the capillary action that the braid relies on to pull out the old solder. 

Much like tinning your tip.  This is also true of solder suckers guns with the vacuum pumps (not the $10 cock and release pumps with silicone tips).

Some brands of braid benefit from more flux moreso than others. Certainly doesn't hurt.

And if you do have one of those fancy solder sucker guns, add solder but don't add flux!

[WormBoy]

Hmm, good tip, I will try flux and tinning the braid next time ...

[gtr2]

I always add some fresh solder to the joint, not the tip.
The desoldering braid makes the biggest difference of all IMO.
I use Techspray Pro Wick.

Josh