Homebrew PCBs

My first post here in this fascinating group :)

The trick I use for repairing the finest of damaged traces, involves 
using conductive paint.
This is usually quite expensive to purhase as a generic product 
through electronics outlets, but can be obtained from most car 
parts shops as 'windscreen/windshield heater repair paint'.

Acurately position 2 lengths of low-tack MASKING tape, either side of 
the broken track. Press in place firmly. Using a small fine brush, 
paint over the broken track (don't 'blob' the paint - thinner is 
better). It dries very quickly, so you can remove the tape after only 
a minute.

Masking tape is preferable to clear sellotape, as it absorbs all of 
the excess paint and prevents any 'fringing' at the edges.

Having a very low resistance of typically <0.1 ohm / inch, it will 
carry heavy currents and makes a excellent permanant repair !

Richard



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lcdpublishing" 
<lcdpublishing@y...> wrote:
>
> Never being one to assume I do everything just "oh so perfect", I 
> looked over the traces with a glass to see if there are any breaks -
 
> sure enough, I have 5 broken traces on one board - the other two 
are A-
> okay from what I can see.
> 
> These are tiny, .010" wide traces running parallel to other traces 
or 
> a ground plane.  The few times in the past I have hed to do repairs 
> such as this, I simply laid a piece of thin wire along side the 
trace 
> and hit it with the soldering pen - worked okay.
> 
> This time, there isn't enough room to that.  I know I could run 
> jumpers and bypass the trace but I am guessing you guys got some 
> tricks on how to do such a repair so that it looks good in the 
end.  
> 
> So, lesson #643 for me, any givers out there willing to share a few 
> tricks?
> 
> Chris
>