How do you typically Clean flux from PCB

[Erik S]

My memory is pretty faulty lately but I think I checked the msds?

Looks like MG makes a bunch of different ones. I bet we're not using the same thing.

I'm using the 4140a (non aerosol)

msds says 75% IPA, 25% N-heptane (whatever that is)

 

[Harry Klippton]

Looks like MG makes a bunch of different ones. I bet we're not using the same thing.

I'm using the 4140a (non aerosol)

msds says 75% IPA, 25% N-heptane (whatever that is)

View attachment 83298

Yup I'm using 413B

 

[peccary]

I use 99% ISO and a toothbrush with Kimwipes.

 

[Diynot]

Gonna be that guy….

 

[VanWhy]

I use 99% ISO and a toothbrush with Kimwipes.

View attachment 83299

Damn, I could eat off that board.

 

[peccary]

Damn, I could eat off that board.

That's one way of getting your daily dose of lead

 

[lowpitch]

I use 99% ISO and a toothbrush with Kimwipes.

Damn, looking profesh my dude.

 

[Joben Magooch]

You only need to clean em if you're gonna post troubleshooting threads.

TBH, this for me, lol. I pretty much never bother cleaning boards and it's never caused me any trouble. I polish them up a little bit if I'm gonna share some up close and personal gut shots (but even in those instances it's never been a flux-related issue, lol)

I guess if I was building to sell or something I'd do it more but it's never made any difference for my personal use and it just gets buttoned up in the case so...

But, @peccary 's clean and shiny board above has me thinking perhaps I should start.....

 

[finebyfine]

Looks like MG makes a bunch of different ones. I bet we're not using the same thing.

I'm using the 4140a (non aerosol)

msds says 75% IPA, 25% N-heptane (whatever that is)

View attachment 83298

this stuff is great and also easy to DIY. you can get n-heptane from art stores under the brand name bestine.

 

[ThatDude]

I use 99% ISO and a toothbrush with Kimwipes.

View attachment 83299

My God. I didn't know I could be attracted to a PCB prior to your post. Sooo clean.

 

[bean]

I only sometimes clean the bottom of boards but here's what I do:

99% ISO with a toothbrush.
After drying, scrub with warm water with a drop of dish soap, again with a tooth brush.

Pat dry or use a heat gun. Works perfectly.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

I used to do kimwipes/alcohol/toothbrush but @bettywont once suggested scraping with an awl which works surprisingly well. Then I saw Robert say he doesn't clean them and I haven't cleaned one since. Took the wind right outta those sails.

 

[ThatDude]

Thanks everyone. So many experienced folks giving input. I’ll definitely try some of these methods. Some very experienced folks are also saying they don’t bother cleaning PCB’s. I am starting to wonder if it’s worth the time at all. Maybe the idea of flux corroding the PCB or causing conductance between pads by having particles stick to them is not likely. I probably should have made this a poll about whether to clean PCB’s or not and then asked how you all clean your boards. I am curious what the ratio of cleaners to non-cleaners would is.

 

[Fingolfen]

I'm pretty much just using 99% IPA... bathe the board a bit with the main components and wiring down... and then spot cleans once the pots / more sensitive stuff is attached...

 

[jwin615]

Thanks everyone. So many experienced folks giving input. I’ll definitely try some of these methods. Some very experienced folks are also saying they don’t bother cleaning PCB’s. I am starting to wonder if it’s worth the time at all. Maybe the idea of flux corroding the PCB or causing conductance between pads by having particles stick to them is not likely. I probably should have made this a poll about whether to clean PCB’s or not and then asked how you all clean your boards. I am curious what the ratio of cleaners to non-cleaners would is.

Do or don't depends on the type of flux and circuit. I'm far from religious about it, except for high gain circuits.
If your flux was designed to be cleaned, again--check the data sheet, then it's probably a good idea to clean it of buy solder with no clean flux.

 

[vigilante398]

I use Kester 331 (water soluble) for everything that can get wet (most things), and wash the board with warm water and a toothbrush. It’ll be clean as a whistle.

Samesies.

I build in batches, so it's easy to wash and dry in batches. I have a washing station with a motorized agitator that I keep filled with distilled water, I can fit 3-6 boards at a time, depending on size. Wash for 7 minutes, then they go to the drying oven, 15 minutes at 65°C. Cooldown for a few minutes then good for final assembly into the box.

 

[melveyr]

I scrub with ipa and while it is still wet I use a vacuum with small nozzle to suck it all up.

 

[ThatDude]

I scrub with ipa and while it is still wet I use a vacuum with small nozzle to suck it all up.

I bet that does a decent job of getting the flux off the board instead of it getting pushed around. What kind of vacuum are you using?

 

[melveyr]

I bet that does a decent job of getting the flux off the board instead of it getting pushed around. What kind of vacuum are you using?

Just a cheap shop vac with an adapter for narrow nozzle

 

[jjjimi84]

Like many others, this is what I use;

Amazon.com

Its mainly for piece of mind, I spray it on and scrub it off with an old toothbrush. During which I am checking for anything that looks wonky.