Stencil Cleaning

[Chad.Wagner]

Using lead paste. What is best for cleaning the stencils?

[SMTech]

Lint free cloth (solder paste makers often have fairly decent offerings here) and a solvent either IPA or a specific paste cleanser (which will probably be IPA with added magic) I can't make specific recommendations as we buy ours directly from the paste supplier. To improve on that you either need an ultrasonic bath big enough for your stencils or you can have a handheld ultrasonic unit.

I would add however that standard "Blue Centrefeed" paper towels turn out to be remarkably lint free, more so than some proper "lint free" offerings.....

[Kean]

For cleaning stencils I use IPA and kimwipes, with paper towels on the bench to capture excess.  I only do low volume, and use GC10 paste.  Sometimes I'll also use Electrolube SSC if I think it needs extra cleaning, and some canned compressed air to ensure any small apertures are cleared.

I don't think leaded/lead-free will make as much difference as the type of flux.  I guess the two go hand-in-hand, but you'd need to be more specific about exact paste type if that is your concern.

[mrpackethead]

I use PCB Board wash.. IPA does'nt clean up solder flux/paste particularly well.

This stuff and hotwater. ( though i buy it in 20L drums ) is awesome..   

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/pcb-and-parts-wash-cleaning-solution/p/NA1070

Ultrasonic is really the go, but you can do a lot with a air duster as well.   

[Styno]

I use PCB Board wash.. IPA does'nt clean up solder flux/paste particularly well.

Do you reuse it? And if so, should it be filtered?

[mrpackethead]

No I just spray some on, it’s like a strong detergent.  Let it sit for a few minutes then wash down with Hotwater. It all goes out the drain

[kylehunter]

No I just spray some on, it’s like a strong detergent.  Let it sit for a few minutes then wash down with Hotwater. It all goes out the drain

I assume he means with leaded paste, since you're not flushing that down the drain!

[mrpackethead]

No I just spray some on, it’s like a strong detergent.  Let it sit for a few minutes then wash down with Hotwater. It all goes out the drain

I assume he means with leaded paste, since you're not flushing that down the drain!

I'm all Lead Free (Henkel GC10).   Yes, if you were using lead paste, ( and arguably I should probably do this anyway ), it probably would be a good idea to think about it a bit more. 

[Styno]

No I just spray some on, it’s like a strong detergent.  Let it sit for a few minutes then wash down with Hotwater. It all goes out the drain

I assume he means with leaded paste, since you're not flushing that down the drain!

Lead free actually, GC10.