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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Electronics: what should I be using as a flux cleaner ?
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thwill Guru  Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4311 |
Hi folks, What should I be using as a flux remover? Yes, I know it's the wrong group, but I'm more likely to get an answer I can understand here ;-) I bought some IPA (after working out that electronics hobbyists weren't randomly talking about India Pale Ale) but more often than not that is just leading to "sticky" PCBs (perhaps it is beer after-all  ).I'm using a mixture (not on the same PCB) of Rosin core and ISO-Core"EL" - both leaded solder thanks to the father-in-law's sources. Any suggestions ? Best wishes, Tom MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2442 |
try using IPA to dissolve the flux (leaving the sticky residue), then menthylated spirits (meths) to clean off the sticky residue. cheers, rob :-) |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4311 |
OK ... but I think the sticky residue is the IPA reacting with the PCB coating and nothing to do with the flux. Best wishes, Tom MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
The best stuff is probably flux remover. No, I haven't got any either. I've tried IPA too and eventually decided that I'd rather not bother. :) Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4311 |
OK, is there a generic "flux remover" ? I would have thought it would depend on the flux type ? Best wishes, Tom MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
I've just ordered some from Amazon. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4311 |
OK, would you report back on its effectiveness when it arrives please. Best wishes, Tom MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
I will. It looks like it should do the job. :) I'll be using it on good ol' leaded solder 'cos that's what I use. Amazon say it's due for delivery on Thursday. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| Amnesie Guru Joined: 30/06/2020 Location: GermanyPosts: 671 |
I always use acetone. Just be careful, some plastic will be corrode by acetone. It works a thoausand times better than isopropanol and is dirt cheap. Greetings Daniel |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
Cheap, yeah, but risky, especially if it gets somewhere where you can't see it like inside a trim pot. :( Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2640 |
When I ran out of Isopropanol switched to metho and found it does the job without sticky residue by using a bit more. These days, for safety there is no methanol in it, just ethanol. Too many idiots going blind. They keep the name to discourage drinking, some places add a little calcium to make it taste worse. |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
Industrial Methylated spirits (denatured alcohol), at least in the UK, is still ethanol. It's treated with additives to colour it, make it taste foul and make it poisonous. This "denaturing" makes it exempt from being taxed as it is considered to be unsuitable for drinking. Yes, it will make you blind, cause brain damage and even kill you. :) Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| pd-- Senior Member  Joined: 11/12/2020 Location: AustraliaPosts: 122 |
I am using Isopropanol without any problems, but i do use it outdoors in large quantities. you can get 5l of 100% for $40 a spray bottle toothbrush & nitroll gloves works for me. just finish off with a good blast from the spray bottle and let it dry near vertical. |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
I have been using "Electronic Circuit Board Cleaner" for several years, and it works really well. Does not evaporate as fast as IPA does, works well to remove flux and other dirt, leaving the board clean and not sticky. Not sure if you can get it in the UK though - if you have Jaycar stores over there, they will stock it. PCB cleaner Even with all the PCB's I assemble and work on, one can is usually enough to last pretty much the whole year, so long as you are conservative with its use. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| ville56 Senior Member Joined: 08/06/2022 Location: AustriaPosts: 223 |
after trying some chemicals like gasoline, isopropanol, acetone and even break-cleaner which didn't work to my satisfaction I've used CRC Kontakt Chemie Reiniger 601 This works very well, removes all kind of flux. Have to say that i do NOT use lead-free solder, as I'm too stupid (or too old) to solder with that. My lead-free solder joints always turn out to be not soldered but glued with the usual troubles afterwards. Regards, Gerald 73 de OE1HGA, Gerald |
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| gadgetjack Senior Member Joined: 15/07/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 169 |
I know this sounds weird , but in a pinch , i have used brake cleaner. Does a good job with the flux , just keep it away from any plastic. |
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atmega8 Guru Joined: 19/11/2013 Location: GermanyPosts: 724 |
Best Results if you use a: FLUX CAPACITOR   |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7937 |
Well, the flux cleaner has turned up. :) I don't recommend getting to close to this stuff: - May cause drowsiness or dizziness - Highly flammable liquid and vapour - Causes skin irritation - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects - May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways - Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources - No smoking - Take action to avoid static discharges Basically, it's pretty nasty stuff to have lying around. All good clean fun. :) It removes the flux residue very nicely when applied with an old toothbrush. I put a little bit into a little glass jar and used it from there. You don't need all that much. It's a bit smelly as in a nicely toxic chemical smell. Definitely best used in a well ventilated area, as recommended for safety anyway. I think this 945ml bottle is going to last a while. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Just checked the MSDS (materials safety data sheet) of the MG Chemicals "4140A Flux Remover" and it has just two components - 75% IPA (isopropyl alcohol) & 25 % n-heptane. We all know IPA pretty well, less so the latter. n-heptane is a seven carbon, straight chain alkane. Its one of the normal components of car petrol (gas to our USA friends) and apparently in its pure form provides the zero octane point of octane rating testing. Like IPA it's volatile and ignites easily but it's not carcinogenic. It is very nasty for fish and other aquatic critters though so don't flush it down the sink! I use just straight IPA out of a spray bottle and tooth brush and find it works well but you do need to spray the board a couple of times to get rid of the stickiness. The stickiness is just a film of remaining flux residue, not softened PCB coatings. I find if you hold the board vertical-ish as you spray and scrub, then blot up the IPA on the bottom with kitchen towel (paper) it's pretty good. There's often a problem with components that get liquid in or under them but a good blow usually clears it out - then a short spray/wipe again. Greg |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4311 |
In the interests of scientific query I just scrubbed a couple of unpopulated PCBs (one a JLCPB black board, and the other a spare green piece of Lewis' weather station) with IPA and was honest suprised to find the result wasn't tacky. I guess when soldering the flux must vaporise and condense in a very fine layer over the PCB which is why the whole board ends up tacky when first cleaned, possibly the MG Chemicals stuff is just better at cleaning it up on the first go than the plain-old IPA. Best wishes, Tom MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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