[sdiy] cleaning boards...

[Brice D. Hornback]

I usually start with a brush... paint brush / chip brush... that kind of
thing to get the "gunk" and dust off.  Then, carefully clean things with a
bunch of Q-tips and alcohol.  You'd be surprised how much of it is just dust
built up and will come off with a brush.

I wouldn't worry too much about the caps.  If they fall apart *that* easily,
they should be replaced anyway.  When you get an old tube amp... what's the
first thing you do?  Well... besides see what happens when you plug it in...
re-cap it "just because".  Same with resistors.  Resistors change value over
time.  Might as well replace them all while you're at it with nice 1% metal
film.  Of course, when you're done... it may never work again!  ;-)

Like Roman said... if it works... don't mess with it.  Vacuuming and
brushing the dust off won't hurt anything (remember, compressed air can put
crap in places you really don't want it but sometimes you gotta do what you
gotta do) and if it's *that* dirty, the trimmers and pots probably need
cleaned anyway.

- Brice
http://www.SynthModules.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roman" <modular at go2.pl>
To: "James R. Coplin" <moog at qwest.net>; <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 5:03 PM
Subject: Odp: [sdiy] cleaning boards...


> As a general rule - if something works, don't touch it.
> But if you feel the need of cleaning, you can do it in pure alcohol.
> If there are any trimmers on board it's not so good idea because
> all the bad stuff you'll try to remove will stick to trimmers' wipers
> and worsen their contacts. So you'll have to carefully clean
> every trimmer after that. Ceramic caps might loose their outer
> skin and expose naked silver plates. Electrolytics migh loose
> plastic casings too in some cases. And any connectors will be
> then covered by thin layer of all the sh.t you just cleaned.
> Other thah that it's perfectly safe <evil grin>
> And you will trim/tune it afterwards, right?
>
> Roman
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: James R. Coplin <moog at qwest.net>
> To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 6:07 PM
> Subject: [sdiy] cleaning boards...
>
>
> > Now that I've pulled all the boards from my Memorymoog I'm noticing that
> > some of them are really filthy. Not just dusty; I mean fuzzy, oily,
dirty.
> > How should I clean these and what are the relative risks to determine
> > whether to proceed or just deal with it? Thanks!
> >
> > James R. Coplin
> > ***************
> > If anyone asks of my whereabouts,
> > simply tell them i've gone out the window
> > for a spot of tea and am not
> > expected back any time soon.
> > ***************
> >
> >
> >
>