Flux removal question

[Rob]

Well, the problem with Trichlor is that its transdermal ie anything that
contaminates it ends up getting straight into your bloodstream.. We had a
guy reach into the solvent bath one time and the next day he had massive
kidney problems and they found tons of iron and other types of toxic stuff
in his blood. Notice, too, that the chemical engineers all run and hide when
you whip out a can of it ;)


Rob

----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Gravenhorst <chordman at earthlink.net>
To: <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2000 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: Flux removal question


> I used to repair VDTs at the LA Daily News.  We did exactly what
> Harry describes (under a sort of fume hood) and it worked
> exceptionally well.  I don't have a clue anymore though as to
> what the chemical nature of the stuff in the can was.  All I know
> is that two passes with it and the toothbrush thing made the
> board as "clean as a whistle".  Whatever the stuff was, it didn't
> melt the toothbrush bristle or handle.  It was rather light and
> evaporated fairly quickly.
>
> Harry Bissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net> wrote:
> >I like to...
> >
> >1) remove any flux I can with a sharp pointed object, like an
> >awl or x-acto knife. If you are scratching the PCB, or soldermask
> >you are using too much force. The flux I use cracks away like
> >hard candy. It has a sticky or gummy consistancy after that.
> >
> >2) Remove the flux with an old toothbrush... this gets all the
mechanically
> >removed flux off.
> >
> >3) hold board at an angle and spray, so the remains of the flux can
> >flow downhill and be carried off the board...
> >
> >4) Use the toothbrush again (I use a different one for this stage) if
> >there are any tough spots.
> >
> >5) Final rinse with the spray..
> >
> >Other ideas... use a water soluble flux and a dishwasher... (I don't know
if
> >I want to wash the PCB and the bowl from my Rice Krispies  at the same
time....)
> >
> >or use "no-clean" flux.   I have not done either one yet. I still have
about a
> >5yr. life on my
> >current roll of flux solder...
> >
> >DON'T mix water soluble and standard flux on the same board. They don't
like
> >each other and you will make a major mess !!!
> >
> >H^) harry
> >
> >Paul Wilkinson wrote:
> >
> >> Here's another flux removal question - How do you do it?  Do you just
spray
> >> it on and let it dry, or do you have to get in there with a Q-Tip?  And
do
> >> you need to do it soon after soldering?
> >>
> >> My flux remover came with a billion warnings all over the can AND
another
> >> sheet of warnings attached with a rubber band - but no instructions!
> >>
> >> - Paul
> >>
> >> ------Original Message------
> >> From: Harry Bissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
> >> To: Blandon Ray <arp2813 at home.com>
> >> Sent: June 18, 2000 3:54:03 AM GMT
> >> Subject: Re: Flux removal question
> >>
> >> You seem to be right on target. I would avoid flux cleaner on
> >> 1) Polystyrene caps
> >> 2) Pots and Switches (it will remove lubricants etc...)
> >> 3) Jacks  (could leave a residue...)
> >>
> >> I washed my PCB before installing these components.
> >>
> >> Flux leakage can be a problem around high impedance areas like the
VCOs,
> >> S/H etc.  I usually try to scratch the flux away with an x-acto knife
(gets
> >> brittle
> >> after about a day, flakes off easy) then clean with a swab.
> >>
> >> Your caps might be OK and they might be toast. Can't tell if they are
> >> damaged
> >> until you fire it up. I'd try first...they might be fine.
> >>
> >> H^) harry
> >>
> >> Blandon Ray wrote:
> >>
> >> > Actually a few questions, especially for those of you building the
Mini
> >> Modular:
> >> >
> >> > After last night's round of soldering I sprayed the back of the board
with
> >> some
> >> > flux remover. When it dried, some of the clear plastic polystyrene
> >> capacitors had
> >> > turned white on the outside. My questions are: first, is this likely
to
> >> damage the
> >> > caps themselves? Second, what else shouldn't I spray with flux
remover?
> >> Finally,
> >> > how important is it (generally speaking) to remove flux from analogue
> >> circuits?
> >> > I'm told it can cause problems related to current leaking around the
> >> board, but
> >> > that's about all I know.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks in advance,
> >> > blandon
> >>
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> >
>
> -- Scott Gravenhorst
> -- Linux Rex, Linux Vobiscum  |  RedWebMail by RedStarWare
> -- FatMan: www.teklab.com/~chordman
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> -- The 21st century does NOT start in the year 2000!!!
>
>
>