How do you clean circuit boards?

[mmaghakian]

This tech always mentions his secret method of cleaning boards.
How do you clean boards ?

https://liquidaudio.com.au/accuphase-e-302-amplifier-repair-overhaul/

 

[Citizen124032]

IPA

 

[Mooly]

Hot water and detergent followed by hot rinse and warm oven dry for most simple boards but not if there are sealed tuned rf coils present.

 

[Havoc]

IPA and a stiff brush.

 

[6L6]

IPA, toothbrush, rinse in water, repeat as necessary, then gentle compressed air to dry.

 

[Netlist]

I once put a heavy nicotine-contaminated amplifier in the dishwasher.
Came out very clean and still plays after 20+ years.
Repeat at your own risk.

Hugo

 

[rayma]

The entire amplifier, less cover and bottom plate?
Sue beats cleaning by hand.

 

[6L6]

I know more than one person who swears by the dishwasher method. I'd like to try it.

 

[Netlist]

The entire amplifier, less cover and bottom plate?

Yes, but with mild temperature, 40° or so and short program.
I blew out the remaining water with a compressor and let it dry for a few days.
Startup with reostat and all was fine.

 

[Netlist]

It was a Hitachi HMA-8300..

Hugo

 

[dobbeln]

At least Industry Uses spray-in-air "dishwasher", but with special Detergent Based on the flux, temp up to 65°C, followed by drying at 110°C/ 1h.
IPA with brush and kimwipes for manual cleaning

 

[w5jag]

I use the dishwasher for circuit boards. Been doing it for decades.

I've been known to take really filthy old radios to a car wash.

Win W5JAG

 

[RickRay]

I usually use IPA, toothbrush, rinse repeat, blow with compressed air also. I'm thinking about using an ultrsonic cleaner, then compressed air.

 

[mmaghakian]

If people wash boards with water, then wouldn’t 91% alcohol be an acceptable substitute for IPA ?

 

[limono]

It will smear the Flux and you will have patina like residue on the PCB. I wouldn't use wash on vintage PCBs . Often the designations from components ( caps) dissolve . Just use a brush and soap solution

 

[6sX7]

IPA != Indian Pale Ale. heh.

 

[limono]

Never had one with 91% of alcohol. Maybe in India they serve them?

 

[steveu]

Years ago when they made through-hole board at work, they were loaded into a portable dishwasher. You might not do that to anything that is greased, ie thermal paste.

 

[Brijac]

Warm water and soap, then ipa 96% to displase water, oth with brush. This is for my diy flux with vaseline and colophony. When using anything else less or not greasy, i just use 96% ipa and toothbrush.

 

[thisusername]

This tech always mentions his secret method of cleaning boards.
How do you clean boards ?

depends on the board, but I use cascade in my dishwasher and put the board in the top rack for most.