Soldering for Beginners: Common Questions & Best Practices

Question
I am verrrry new to soldering and am a little frustrated.  I've read a bunch and realize some of the things I'm doing wrong.  I was just wondering a few things:  1) do low temp soft solderings need to be coated with pickle first?  2) do you need a separate pickle solution when using self pickling flux like Batterns?  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
OK Mindy,
Let's first define a few terms.Low tempeature solder refers to lead,tin type of solder,like plumbing or electrical.If you are using this type of solder,yes a liquid flux is needed.If you are soldering silver,use a paste white flux,gold use Batterns.A Pickle solution is used after soldering to disolve the flux,and clean oxides from the metal just soldered.
                     hope that helps,
                        Good luck