Trouble is, I can't get that last bit of solder that capillaries in between the leg of the IC and the wall of the thru-hole.

I use soldering aids to try to break any remaining solder so the lead is free of the plated through hole. If I can't break it free, I apply more solder and try the sucker again. For cases where I can't make progress, I heat the joint and wiggle the lead away from the hole.

If it's the last pin on that "side", I'll use an iron to melt the solder and pull it out from the component side. If I have a pin on both sides, I work on one side and then the other.

 

I finally overcame. I went around to each pin with the sucker again and gave it a couple shots whether I could see anything or not. Then I went around with the iron and tried to push each pin away from the walls. This generally meant pushing in towards the IC. I think the next one will go a lot better. Hope so!

 

That is a copy of a "Soldapult". I have an ESD version. The real ones are better than the copies.

I've been using EDSYN's Soldapullt since the 70's. The first one I bought is still on it's original tip, though I have spares. I bought a lot of used ones on eBay, so I have a lifetime supply...

 

The second protoboard repair didn't go that much better than the first.

I gave the bottom side a couple good sucks on each pin. Looked pretty good but the IC wouldn't budge. I struggled with it far too long before noticing a trace of solder on the topside. I didn't make progress again until I used braid on the topside to remove that little remaining bit. Things went pretty quick after that discovery. Maybe I could have used the sucker on the topside with similar success. I guess I'll find out tomorrow - I've run out of braid.

One more to go.