what do you use to clean pcb

xeclipse · 13th December 2010, 05:59 AM

Hi guys,
I have this 'ancient' amp pcb i want to repair but its really dirty. What do you use to clean pcb?Methylated spirit?Alcohol?Gasoline?...that solvent used in dry cleaning?(i forget the name).
Regards Xeclipse

454Casull · 13th December 2010, 06:20 AM

Electrical contact cleaner if it's "dirt". Rosin flux is removed with 99% isopropyl alcohol.

jtostenr · 13th December 2010, 06:24 AM

Yes, if you use alcohol, make sure it's 99%....I bought something lesser the first time and the results were not good!

stratus46 · 13th December 2010, 08:50 AM

Dishwasher then a dehydrator. Worked great on the 1978 Ampex video recorder. Boards look like new. I think your solvent might be 1.1.1 TCE.

G²

ontoaba · 13th December 2010, 09:03 AM

Detergent for dust, no doubt it is self cleaning. M3 for plastic or ink removal.

GREAT!! you found ANCIENT PCB. It must be BIG ROCK scratched with copper or orichalc, finger scale drill hole for house scale devices. Also with magic and super enhancements from ancient era.

xeclipse · 13th December 2010, 10:22 AM

Its supposed to be white...

nigelwright7557 · 13th December 2010, 11:08 AM

I use an old toothbrush.
Hard enough to get rid of flux but soft enough not to do any damage.

gbyleveldt · 13th December 2010, 11:17 AM

Chuck it in the dishwasher and then leave it in the sun for the afternoon to dry again. I restore many, many old bits of kit and this method really works the best for whole assemblies. Of course, make 100% sure it's dry before powering up.

abeteer · 13th December 2010, 11:40 AM

Now that thing really needs a thorough clean up, here's what I do...

Soak the board in detergent solution for 15-20mins, use a shallow basin/bucket etc. just enough for the whole board

While soaking use a paintbrush to clean hard to reach areas, slowly but surely wiping the dirt off. Rinse thoroughly, then let it dry under the sun or use a hot blower.

I also use kerosene for lighter cleaning you can even test the board while it is still wet, kerosene do not have electrical continuity and will not damage the equipment. It works for me

Regards

xeclipse · 13th December 2010, 04:12 PM

Water???What of the relay,switches?

13th December 2010, 05:59 AM	#1
xeclipse diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Where the world's best tea come from:Kericho Kenya	what do you use to clean pcb Hi guys, I have this 'ancient' amp pcb i want to repair but its really dirty. What do you use to clean pcb?Methylated spirit?Alcohol?Gasoline?...that solvent used in dry cleaning?(i forget the name). Regards Xeclipse __________________ if there are no sparks,it probably doesn't work!

13th December 2010, 06:20 AM	#2
454Casull diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada	Electrical contact cleaner if it's "dirt". Rosin flux is removed with 99% isopropyl alcohol. __________________ Building a 2.1 system out of a 3/4"x4'x8' sheet

13th December 2010, 11:08 AM	#7
nigelwright7557 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Carlisle, England	I use an old toothbrush. Hard enough to get rid of flux but soft enough not to do any damage. __________________ http://www.murtonpikesystems.co.uk PCBCAD40 pcb design software.

13th December 2010, 11:17 AM	#8
gbyleveldt diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	Chuck it in the dishwasher and then leave it in the sun for the afternoon to dry again. I restore many, many old bits of kit and this method really works the best for whole assemblies. Of course, make 100% sure it's dry before powering up. __________________ The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds - Theo Jansen

13th December 2010, 04:12 PM	#10
xeclipse diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Where the world's best tea come from:Kericho Kenya	Water???What of the relay,switches? __________________ if there are no sparks,it probably doesn't work!


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

13th December 2010, 06:24 AM	#3
jtostenr diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Marysville, WA	Yes, if you use alcohol, make sure it's 99%....I bought something lesser the first time and the results were not good!

13th December 2010, 08:50 AM	#4
stratus46 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles	Dishwasher then a dehydrator. Worked great on the 1978 Ampex video recorder. Boards look like new. I think your solvent might be 1.1.1 TCE. G²

13th December 2010, 09:03 AM	#5
ontoaba diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kudus, & Malang	Detergent for dust, no doubt it is self cleaning. M3 for plastic or ink removal. GREAT!! you found ANCIENT PCB. It must be BIG ROCK scratched with copper or orichalc, finger scale drill hole for house scale devices. Also with magic and super enhancements from ancient era.

13th December 2010, 11:40 AM	#9
abeteer diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Easternmost Region V	Now that thing really needs a thorough clean up, here's what I do... Soak the board in detergent solution for 15-20mins, use a shallow basin/bucket etc. just enough for the whole board While soaking use a paintbrush to clean hard to reach areas, slowly but surely wiping the dirt off. Rinse thoroughly, then let it dry under the sun or use a hot blower. I also use kerosene for lighter cleaning you can even test the board while it is still wet, kerosene do not have electrical continuity and will not damage the equipment. It works for me Regards

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read