[sdiy] Better then Q-Tips

[David G. Dixon]

On a more serious note ("da-da-da-dummmmmmmmm!") I "HATE" using anything
cotton-based on the back of a PCB, because all those little sticker-y solder
joints pull the fibres out and create a big mess.

In my experience, the absolute best way to clean the back of a PCB is with
an old toothbrush dedicated just for the purpose.  I keep a gnarly old
toothbrush by the laundry room wash basin, and when I'm done soldering up a
board (but before I've plugged any chips or anything water-sensitive into
it) I give the solder side a good scrubbing with the toothbrush and a couple
drops of dish soap and water.  Then I rinse, repeat with a bit of isopropyl
alcohol, then rinse again.  It's clean as a whistle then.  When I'm "really"
all done soldering, and after the board is clean and dry, I often spray it
with something like "Trem-Clad" corrosion inhibitor to protect the copper
from corroding.


> > What if you're on the desert, and there are no nasty chemicals
> available?
> 
> Then I don't need Q-Tips.
> 
> > In fact, what if you look down and see a Tortoise crawling towards
> > you? You reach down and flip it on its back, Rainer. The tortoise lays
> > on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying
> > to turn itself over, but it can't. Not without your help. But you're
> > not helping. Why aren't you helping, Rainer?
> 
> "Are you making these questions up?"