Circuit Board Cleaning
 

What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?

--
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Circuit Board Cleaning
 

I still use isopropyl alcohol .. without additives.
Many drug stores.

Have you look at WASSCO (based in California) -- as your cleaning source?
Excellent store/retailer/distributor for soldering/electronic assembly,
production and rework supplies.
http://www.wassco.com/

Elecraft uses and recommends for their kit builders, as well.

gb

"Dick" wrote in message
...
What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Circuit Board Cleaning
 

"Dick" wrote in message
...
What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?


http://www.wassco.com/isal1.html

Circuit Board Cleaning
 

In article , Dick wrote:
What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?


This would probably be best for a really dirty board. Some use dishwashers. It
even dries them. For sensitive circuits, water can seep into components
and can take a long time to fully dry. Baking is sometimes necessary
if you need it right away. For small areas I use pure alcohol, but the alcohol
attracts water vapor and creates water droplets. I make use of the heated
blower tip on my Weller station to blow around components and down the board.
Alcohol is not a good wash for some things like orange juice
or Coke.

greg

Circuit Board Cleaning
 

In article , (GregS) wrote:
In article , Dick
wrote:
What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?


This would probably be best for a really dirty board. Some use dishwashers. It
even dries them. For sensitive circuits, water can seep into components
and can take a long time to fully dry. Baking is sometimes necessary
if you need it right away. For small areas I use pure alcohol, but the alcohol
attracts water vapor and creates water droplets. I make use of the heated
blower tip on my Weller station to blow around components and down the board.
Alcohol is not a good wash for some things like orange juice
or Coke.

Some people even cook fish in the dishwasher.

greg

Circuit Board Cleaning
 

On Thu, 17 May 2007 12:30:44 GMT, (GregS) wrote:

In article , Dick wrote:
What is the latest thinking regarding cleaning populated circuit
boards. Such as the motherboard in a computer. Many of the things we
used in past years are no longer available for environmental and
health reasons. I'm thinking some liquid dish washing detergent in
warm water applied with a paint brush, followed by thorough drying
before re-assembly. Any better ideas?


This would probably be best for a really dirty board. Some use dishwashers. It
even dries them. For sensitive circuits, water can seep into components
and can take a long time to fully dry. Baking is sometimes necessary
if you need it right away. For small areas I use pure alcohol, but the alcohol
attracts water vapor and creates water droplets. I make use of the heated
blower tip on my Weller station to blow around components and down the board.
Alcohol is not a good wash for some things like orange juice
or Coke.

greg

Thanks Greg. I have also found that alcohol is not the greatest for
cleaning boards, although it works good for cleaning flux residue
after soldering. The problem I have always had with alcohol over a
large area is that is leaves a film on the board that looks messy.

Dick

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