Homebrew PCBs

On Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:52:49 +0200, lcdpublishing  
<lcdpublishing@...> wrote:

> Sitting here looking at my etched boards with the toner still on them,
> I got to thinking that I could leave it there.  Use a Q-tip to remove
> the toner from the solder pads and leave the rest there.  This might
> help to reduce oxidization of the copper?
> I suppose there could be a problem with the toner melting and flowing
> back into solder joints as you add components though.
> Just an idea, curious if anyone has tried this and if they had any
> success.
> Chris


I would be afraid of acid residue trapped/caught by the toner.
After etching and rinsing i scrape the toner off with a steel scraper,  
much less messy than acetone. I wipe off the last remains with that, if  
there are any.

Then i coat it with a mixture of colophony resin and alcohol, which  
prevents oxidation and acts as a flux.

ST