[sdiy] Favourite flux cleaning ritual?

[Oscar Salas]

Isopropanol by immersion. The result is a PCB like new.

I use a recipient - a Tupperware- where the PCB fits plane. I put one cm or so of Isopropanol -enough to cover the PCB- andI submerge the PCB there. I wait for about 5 minutes. Until the flux is perfectly dissolved in the Isopropanol. Then I put the PCB vertical and still over the recipient I brush it - with a toothbrush- up to down, repeatedly, bringing the dirty to the recipient. Leave it to dry for several minutes and the result is a PCB completely clean.

You can use that Isopropanol of that recipient for a few PCBs, Until the Isopropanol starts to look dirty and/or the PCBs show a little film covering them when dry. Time, then, to replace the Isopropanol for a new one.

Be careful  with components that can be damaged like trim resistors meanwhile you clean it or you can solder them after cleaning the PCB, and clean these few solder points with isopropanol but without immersion.

Oscar.


----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Beauchamp <mikebeauchamp at gmail.com>
To: sdiy DIY <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Cc: 
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 5:51 AM
Subject: [sdiy] Favourite flux cleaning ritual?

How does everyone clean the flux off their boards?

I'm looking for something safe; no toxic fumes or crazy chemicals if
possible. I'll reluctantly admit to rarely cleaning the flux off most
of my personal projects. My only experience with cleaning flux has
been with warm water, dish soap and a stiff brush, which seemed to
work OK.

-- 
[mike]
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