Miyagi say: Frux-on Frux-off

[Axel2801]

The question is-- is there anything that will take the flux off without dulling the surface at the same time? I know there's commercial-stuff that comes in a can, but I don't think I solder enough to make the purchase... And besides-- I'm suspicious that the stuff-in-a-can would also dull my boards.

What I'm using-- Kester "44" Rosin Core Solder, a green pcb board with ground-plane and all (seems like a pretty decent quality board,) and drug-store grade 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

And Need guidance, thank you

Axel2801

[ataradov]

Alcohol should work. It sometimes leaves white-ish residue, but that's only because of insufficient cleaning or your alcohol is not clean anymore. You need to use multiple baths/cleanings with different level of contamination.

Show some pictures of your "dull" boards.

[Ian.M]

Also, for diagnosis, try cleaning a new board that has never been soldered, as-if you were trying to remove flux from it.  Same IPA, same brush or wipes etc.   If the result is a dull board, and using a brand new brush and fresh packet of wipes doesn't fix it, you know its not a flux removal problem!

[GreyWoolfe]

I use 91 and 99.95% IPA and I have squeeze bottles for them so I am not double dipping a dirty toothbrush into the IPA.  I wet lint free nail wipes with the IPA and apply a scrubbing action to the wipe with a firm bristle toothbrush.  No real residue that way.  Sometimes the flux takes a lot of work to remove.  Apply IPA, scrub, rinse and repeat until clean, no sticky and no residue.

I recently replaced the battery and recapped my HP 3478A meter.  Flux to help remove components and extra flux for soldering.  I spent a goodly amount of time cleaning the PCB off.  End result was a nice clean board that looked like it wasn't touched.

Axel, I use the same solder and I also use MG Chemicals 835 rosin flux.  Like Louis Rossman says, there is no such thing as too much flux.  However, the more flux you use, the more work it takes to get rid of the mess.