Homebrew PCBs

wbblair3(wbblair3@...) is reported to have said:
> >   I recently ordered some pcb's from abcfab, and on on the EBay page
> >   describing the boards, Bill mentioned that there were a number of
> >   cleaning solutions that would clean the copper, and that the
> >   scotch brite scrub wasn't necessary.
> > 
> >   One of the cleaners mentioned was Tarn-X.
> 
> Don't ask me how I discovered this (I don't remember), but the
> commonly available (in the US anyway) "Scrub Free" soap scum remover
> intended for cleaning bathroom showers, tubs and sinks cleans copper
> even better than Tarn-X, is less expensive and might be something you
> already have around the house (it DOES work great on soap scum, too).
>  It's in one of those pump spray containers.  Its active ingredient is
> the same one used in Tarn-X, sulfamic acid:

Just found that we had 2 Scrub Free cleaners under the sink.  Neither
has sulfamic acid listed on the label, Tilex and one called Scrub
Free.

Took a 6" x 18" copper clad blank that had some blemishes and tried
each of the scrub free cleaners in a 4x6" strip.  Both did show a
change in the color of the copper but neither took out the blemishes.
Washed off the board and dried it, then tried Tarn-X.  That fully
cleaned the board and no blemishes remain.

I think the Tarn-X cost around $5.  The label says to use rubber
gloves (the scum cleaners don't) so for my money, I will stick to the
Tarn-X.  There should be enough in the bottle to last me for many many
boards.  Maybe if I could find a Scum Cleaner that 'does' list
sulfamic acid on the label it would work better then those that don't,
but Tarn-X is working so I'm happy.  

I do wonder if the other 2 cleaners that Bill mentioned, Zap! and
Restore4, might be better but so far, I have not been able to find
them.


Thanks for the tip WB.  It might help those overseas that don't have a
source for Tarn-X or the others.

Wayne