Recommend cotton swabs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2017, 02:35:41 am
content: I've been using these MG Chemicals cotton swabs for PCB cleaning for long time, but they are somewhat hairy. What other brands can you recommend?https://www.amazon.ca/MG-Chemicals-Precision-Cleaning-Double/dp/B008OA83R0

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2017, 02:59:04 am
content: Other brands to consider (in North America) could be Techspray and Chemtronics.

author: RayRay
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 03:12:44 pm
content: I have a different solution for you, you could just use this spray instead:http://www.dx.com/p/anti-electrostatic-cleaner-spray-4607Then you wouldn't need to worry about messy cotton residue.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 05:01:31 pm
content: Not as narrow of a point, but I like these a lot:http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/cleaning-products-for-electronics/cleaning-accessories/swabs/chamois-swabs-810-810d

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 05:56:35 pm
content: Scrubbing boards with cotton buds is one technique, but it can also be done differently. Another approach is to lay a paper towel (such as a KimWipe) on the board, spray it with cleaner, and brush over it with a horse hair brush, like the TechSpray 2020. They also make ESD conductive brushes but that may not be necessary depending on your climate.The chamois swabs linked above are not very absorbent, which is a problem for flux removal. But they are very good for cleaning battery and switch contacts, with a little dab of polishing compound or jeweler's rouge.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 06:44:27 pm
content: I want it for spot cleaning, not the entire board.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 06:46:27 pm
content: Does anyone know what product Louis Rossman uses in his iThingies repair videos? Those heads look damn good under the microscope.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 06:48:14 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on February 21, 2017, 02:38:43 amThis may help in certain cases but is somewhat awkward in general . Thanks for the idea.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2017, 07:02:38 pm
content: I usually just use a toothbrush with a dab of dish soap and rinse it off in the kitchen sink. If I want to wash the whole board I use a dollar store dish brush (not the same one I use on the dishes) followed up by a rinse with alcohol or distilled water and then set it by a heat vent for a few days to thoroughly dry. If I'm in a hurry I set the oven to 160F and bake for an hour or so. Sounds a bit brutal but with some care it's safe and effective.

author: Kuro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 05:33:29 pm
content: Since cotton swabs are also used in medicine, and I cannot believe loose cotton hairs are desirable in wounds and such, I wonder if the swabs sold for medical purposes would be tighter wound and better quality?

author: elecman14
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 05:57:46 pm
content: You can get a swab like tool with a foam end like a sponge. A search for "sponge swabs" should point you in the correct direction.Example:

author: oldnewb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 07:49:07 pm
content: I've ordered swabs from McMaster-Carr that have worked well. The low-lint, tapered-tip variety are good for board touch-up; anything more than a 1/8" tip is too big for densely-populated boards. The cotton tip on these has a tight weave. There's no fuzzy "corona" when they're new.https://www.mcmaster.com/#71035t31(The Internets have conflicting reports as to McMaster-Carr's willingness to ship to Canada. YMMV.)

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 10:13:30 pm
content: Quote from: Kuro on February 24, 2017, 05:33:29 pmIn natural fibers there are different sizes of 'staple', i.e. the fiber length, the longer staple cotton is generally what would go into better quality fabric, at least, because it's longer wearing. Not sure if any of that kind of grading happens in this stuff.In my limited experience I haven't had cotton swabs used medically where they'd leave fibers in a wound though.Quote from: elecman14 on February 24, 2017, 05:57:46 pmCompared to the chamois swabs, I hate how easily those fall apart, but I admit they may be nice for gentle cleaning.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 10:57:21 pm
content: Quote from: elecman14 on February 24, 2017, 05:57:46 pmExactly what I was going to suggest, use em once and toss. You'll find a HUGE selection of these kinds of things in the ladies department in drug stores, makeup and nail departments!

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 11:53:33 am
content: Quote from: Kuro on February 24, 2017, 05:33:29 pmFor collecting specimens, particularly for culture, synthetic swabs are used almost exclusively. Dacron from BD BBL (aka Culturette) used to be the standard in the US. Other synthetics are also used. Cotton is not used.In surgery to absorb blood/fluid cotton gauze used to be the standard. Today it may be something else, like a non-woven material.For cleaning boards, I use a toothbrush with synthetic bristles or an old fashioned "acid brush" with natural fibers. I generally buy in bulk from Torrington Brushes (https://www.torringtonbrushes.com). Then, depending on the situation, I use Kimwipes or drain on ordinary paper towels. Compressed air lightly applied helps.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 09:50:38 pm
content: Quote from: Wilhatley on February 11, 2022, 11:31:50 amWell that sure is interesting. I never knew about the wild world of swabsI use moleskin or bamboo cotton ones.Don't underestimate stiff brushes either (take a pointy nylon brush and cut it short to like 2mm) for agitation of substrate prior to swab pickup. When the bristles are very short you can kind of 'scale'/scrape things like dried up flux thats in a small puddle of alcohol so there is less rubbing required for pickup, then clean the brush by wiping it on a dampened rag. Causing the contamination to 'fracture' makes cleanup alot easier.Can you tell us about various swab types? The website has a whole slew of stuff.For instance, what is foam covered cotton for? Does the cotton work to absorb liquids better ?Whats microdenier? Whats the difference between knitted and non knitted?A 'choice for use' table/catalog would be nice.And can you tell me about what swabs are good for alcohol, I like the micro-q-tips from Caig but once you dip em in alcohol or deoxit it seems pretty easy for the cotton to come off the stick when you are scrubbing.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 07:28:05 am
content: I could not find on that web site what i want, which is 6 inch wooden shaft with double low lint cotton tips...