Which one of these soldering wires needs to be cleaned ?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2021, 06:30:41 pm
content: I am looking at these Soldering wires:https://www.amazon.ca/Kester-24-6337-8800-Activated-No-Clean-Diameter/dp/B00068IJOU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1CCMIDRYHJM8X&dchild=1&keywords=Kester+63%2F37&qid=1635531533&sprefix=kester+63%2F37%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-3&https://www.amazon.ca/Kester-24-6337-0010-Rosin-Solder-SPOOL/dp/B00068IJWC/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1CCMIDRYHJM8X&dchild=1&keywords=Kester+63%2F37&qid=1635531533&sprefix=kester+63%2F37%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-6Which one needs to be cleaned ? and which one requires more cleaning ?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2021, 06:47:58 pm
content: What do you mean by "cleaned"? If you mean flux residue, then both are rosin core and both will leave flux residue. There is no difference between the two in this respect.But it is rosin, so you don't have to clean it, it is not active, or conductive.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2021, 07:21:34 pm
content: The datasheets for your study.https://www.kester.com/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?EntryId=958&Command=Core_Download&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=96https://www.kester.com/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=1072&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=96Kester 44 is old school RA flux, fairly aggressive as electronics solder fluxes go, will wet out on old, tarnished, dirty, parts and boards just about as well as new clean ones. It can be cleaned, quite easily will any purpose formulated "flux cleaner" product, but it is not required as the heat from soldering will activate and use up most of the corrosive stuff, and the remainder will mostly be harmlessly locked up in the residue.Kester 245 is a "no clean" flux. "No clean" has a somewhat complicated meaning, you don't have to clean it in most situations, but if you try, you had better do it as instructed by the manufacturer or you're gonna have a bad time.

author: l3gi0n
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2021, 08:31:23 pm
content: How do I clean the Kester 44 ? Swab+99% IPA would do ? Should I clean the joints or the PCB too ? Can you tell me in detail what and where should be cleaned ?I recently purchased this:https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005T8PL1Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Can I use this to clean the residues ?Here is a quote from the DATASHEET:Quote

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2021, 12:16:58 am
content: For rosin flux, IPA works great . Just swab it on liberally and the flux residue will soak into the swab . You can go over again with a clean dampened swab if you like then let dry . For larger areas you can use a squirt bottle and a small nonabrasive brush . Tooth brushes and stiff paint brushes work pretty good .

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2021, 01:01:31 am
content: I've never used Kester 44 specifically but many people run into the dreaded white residue problem cleaning rosin flux residue with IPA, myself included. Success is more or less guaranteed with a proper flux remover.It should be noted that unless you're working with super sensitive/high impedance circuits or burn the flux with poor technique it usually isn't a problem to just leave it be. The only must clean electronics fluxes are the water soluble ones, which pretty much have to be ultrasonic cleaned in distilled water to keep it from destroying the board. Only other time you have to be careful is with added flux, which may not all heat enough to activate if you really slather it on.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2021, 04:39:47 am
content: Here's the SDS for Kester 5768 "saponifier" flux remover:https://www.kester.com/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?Command=Core_Download&EntryId=1452&language=en-US&PortalId=0&TabId=96Most notable is 2(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol and ethanolamine. The former is a member of the class readily available cellosolves:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycol_ethersAnother brand's saponifier is just ethanolamine in water.