DIY solder mask

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#41
Hey guys,

When I first suggested the method using Vitrea paint, I was using standard brushes. The results were OK but since the Vitrea paint is thick, the result were not as smooth as a real soldermask.

Recently, I tried a low-cost airbrush (Vitrea paint needs to be thinned a little) and the results are far more smoother. You can find those airbrush in any Walmart or model shop.

Give it a try if you're having troubles getting a smooth finish or if you lack patience as I do.

In the following weeks, I'm going to try various foils found at www.pulsarprofx.com. They have green and white foils for soldermasking and "silkscreening".

http://www.pulsarprofx.com/PCB/a_Pages/4_Products/4b_TRF_Foils/TRF_Foils.html

I'm not very fond of toner transfer system but their results looks promising.

What interests me the most is the fact they also carry a line of transfer foils on which you can print full color images then transfer them on anything (PCB, metal enclosures etc...). May be handy to give a profesionnal look to face/back plate etc.
 
#46
masking

Hi,

I have found out that Pebeo Vitrea can be easily masked with the toner transfer method.

Masking:
75b7b7c23453768bb4b60746d91d5f4e.jpg


Painting:
8d595cd12f0cfff9846a1a2b710af628.jpg


Removing the mask after cooking:
6f30e7c2e89f6575f3b97102893a7d69.jpg


27e0b0340c384e8520cb5238854dc97f.jpg


Basically it works as a solder mask (doesn't burn away), but I can solder it through if I really-really push the soldering iron into it. Have you also experienced this, or was it only me who didn't bake it enough? (I didn't have a thermometer to measure the temperature with)
 
#47
Re: masking

lmao said:


Basically it works as a solder mask (doesn't burn away), but I can solder it through if I really-really push the soldering iron into it. Have you also experienced this, or was it only me who didn't bake it enough? (I didn't have a thermometer to measure the temperature with)
Click to expand...


You just need to bake it at 180C, then it will won't melt later, unless you do something real unfortunate.


Magura 🙂
 
#50
I had some Techniks Press-N-Peel blue that I tried to use as a mask for the pads before painting with the Vitrea. Was taking too long and the results were poor so I just went at it with a narrow brush and a shaky hand 🙂 It bakes up well but the uneven blobs of paint bothered me so I tried to sand them down a bit. Don't do this 🙂 It dulls the gloss and makes it look awful. I think I'll mill another circuit and try the PNP blue again.

lmao are you using photo paper?

Jay
 

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#53
I'm using cheap shiny paper and a simple laminator for the toner transfer. It's possible to achieve a stable 6 mil resolution this way, like in the image I have attached. I think in your case the uneven blobs appeared because you didn't let the paint dry for long enough before baking it (it requires 24 hours).
 

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#54
I'm soooooo glad I stumbled upon this topic! I have wondered for the longest time how to make a good looking solder masks on my boards. Magura and lmao, those are some fantastic looking boards! I see that quite a few people have chosen to go with red, I'm thinking I want to try a light blue on my board but I still haven't decided yet. Thanks for the pics and and all the good info!🙂

I can't wait to try this on my latest project, (you can see it here). :spin:
 
#55
lmao said:
The mask can be removed after baking by rubbing it with paint thinner or acetone.
Click to expand...

These didn't alter the Pebeo in any way?

I'm wondering if maybe I didn't have it hot enough. I used a toaster oven to bake this experimental board. I used a glue pen to apply glue to the pads I wanted masked and then I airbrushed the paint onto the board. I tried to clean the glue I used to mask my pads with some Goof Off and it softened up the Vitrea. 🙁 Now it's still soft and I can practically scratch it off with my fingernail.

Here's some pics of my semi-successful attempt with this stuff:
 

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#56
kibble said:
These didn't alter the Pebeo in any way?

I'm wondering if maybe I didn't have it hot enough. I used a toaster oven to bake this experimental board. I used a glue pen to apply glue to the pads I wanted masked and then I airbrushed the paint onto the board. I tried to clean the glue I used to mask my pads with some Goof Off and it softened up the Vitrea. 🙁 Now it's still soft and I can practically scratch it off with my fingernail.

Here's some pics of my semi-successful attempt with this stuff:
Click to expand...

I think the glue caused the problem. With toner it worked very well. The pads became a little bumpy after baking, and it was easy to remove them. I baked the board again after the acetone treatment.
 
#57
lmao said:
Hi,

I have found out that Pebeo Vitrea can be easily masked with the toner transfer method.

27e0b0340c384e8520cb5238854dc97f.jpg


Basically it works as a solder mask (doesn't burn away), but I can solder it through if I really-really push the soldering iron into it. Have you also experienced this, or was it only me who didn't bake it enough? (I didn't have a thermometer to measure the temperature with)
Click to expand...

Hey, this stuff looks awesome! When you remove the masked Vitrea stuff with acetone off the pads, do you use a q-tip or something? I'm just wondering because if you rub the pad with acetone and accidently get the acetone off the pad, does it remove the Vitrea on the actual PCB surrounding the pad? Or would it just remove it wherever you have applied the toner mask?

Mike
 
#60
Personally, i tried a German product, with good results.
After treating the copper with liquid tin, i sprayed the entire pcb with this lacquer, without worrying about the pads, this product is solderable!
 

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