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Subject: Re: PCB cleaning method

From: "Phil" <phil1960us@...>
Date: 2004-11-16

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "daveismissing"
<shootme007@h...> wrote:
>
> Have you guys tried a mechanical polish - with a fiberglass brush
>
>
> for instance.
>
>
> ( a big bundle of fibers stacked on end in a housing)
>
>
> I think it comes out about as shiny as the photos, no real residue
>
>
> D
>

Cleaning isn't the issue. Generally, you dont want a residue and any
polish will leave one though it might not be visible. It might be
that the stuff mentioned (nevr-dull? where do they get those names?)
leaves a film that binds to the toner and the copper. Its on my list
of things to try as I still get pinholes in large areas of copper and
this might help. Its really only an issue for thermal areas and
appearance.

Also, I believe that shiny/smooth is actually not what you want. Some
degree of roughness will provide for more surface area and thus allow
a stronger mechanical bond between the toner and the copper. I got a
significant quality increase when I started using 600 grit abrasive to
prep my copper clad blanks.

Phil