> Hi guys,
>
> Does anyone know of a particularly good (and low cost) solvent for
> removing flux from assembled PCBs?
>
> Normally I use isopropyl in an ultrasonic cleaner, which works really
> well. The problem is that I'm now building up a bunch of Eurocard-sized
> PCBs, which are about an inch too big on each side to fit in my
> ultrasonic cleaner.
>
> IPA in a plastic tray works reasonably well, but removing the residue
> takes a lot of brushing with a stiff toothbrush, and I'm concerned about
> damage to solder joints, pins, etc. IPA also tends to spread the flux
> across the board, leaving watermarks and sticky spots, though I suspect
> the solution to this would be to rinse with IPA before doing a final
> water rinse...
>
> The only other PCB cleaners I've used are Chemtronics Flux-Off (which is
> far too expensive and evaporates too quickly to do a good job in this
> application), and Electrolube "Fluxclene" (many years ago).
>
> Thanks,
> --
> Phil.
> piclistKILLspamphilpem.me.uk
> http://www.philpem.me.uk/

>> I use Isopropyl Alcohol, scrub with a toothbrush, and finish with
>> several rinses where I run the alcohol across the board in one
>> direction only and on the final rinse, I immediately use high pressure
>> compressed air to blow off all of the alcohol. I find that the main
>> reason that a residue gets left on the board is that the alcohol pools
>> in some places and dries, precipitating its contents back onto the
>> board.
>>
>> Beware that this process probably causes highly flammable vapors so do
>> it only in a well ventilated area with no sources of ignition nearby.
>> Also, beware of over-exposing your skin to IPA as it can cause
>> defatting (dissolving the fat layer under the skin - NOT a good
>> thing).
>
> Use of compressed air to dry it is not likely to endear you to the ESD
> safety officer either.
> --
> Scanned by iCritical.
>