PCB vs oven cleaner, is it safe?

[bill_c]

I sprayed half of an old PCB with oven cleaner and let it set for an hour as a test, rinsed and dried, and it looks fine.  Are there any known problems with using oven cleaner on populated boards?
Or is there a better way to get that sticky gel like goo off of restaurant equipment?

[Someone]

is there a better way to get that sticky gel like goo off of restaurant equipment?

Limonene/citrus solvent.

[johansen]

is there a better way to get that sticky gel like goo off of restaurant equipment?

Limonene/citrus solvent.

The only chemical that a friend of mine found that was effective at dissolving the goo left behind on vw jetta engine parts on a vehicle run on straight waste veg oil.. was wd40.

Goo gone didnt dissolve it. Now im talking about the tar like substance left behind in the tank, in the injection pump, on the fuel injectors (plugging up all the inlet holes until they warmed up). We ran the car nearly empty and dumped a gallon of wd40 in it.. runs great now.

[barshatriplee]

The chemicals in oven cleaners can react with various materials on the PCB, including solder masks, traces, and component coatings. This can result in discoloration, corrosion, or even complete failure of the components or the board itself. In my opinion, it should be avoided.

[mikerj]

Most oven cleaners contain lye (aka sodium hydroxide or caustic soda) which is pretty harsh stuff. It attacks aluminium quite readily and will also dissolve zinc and lead, though quite slowly at room temperature with typical over cleaner concentrations.  I would not be using it on PCBs personally.

[coromonadalix]

i found out  a brake cleaner in spray (done some tests) who worked wonders, with no residues     

Was better than the chemtronics   smell like hell  pcb wash  and another brand i dont want to recall who smelled very bad for a loooooong time  even with good ventilation

Now i use Atron SC205   at 5% concentration work very well

At stronger concentration i even cleaned some mechanical parts    lolll     was good to to clean floors  loll


 

[wraper]

There are different oven cleaners. Some are relatively harmless, others eat away aluminum, and likely some other metals.

[bill_c]

Thanks everyone.  I tried the cheap stuff from dollar store, no damage to silkscreen and no visible corrosion, doesn't mean its safe, and not all brands are the same.  I will look for those other cleaners listed above and try a few of them before I try cleaning anything expensive.