board wash - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Nickk2057
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2013, 04:37:23 pm
content: i got a question... i am a computer tech and am wondering of what is the best method to fast dry a board without a heat gun.... some people tell me to use a halogen light which sounds like a winner but idk of what type to use...any suggestions?

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2013, 05:38:01 pm
content: I sometimes use compressed air. It does a good job of getting water out from tiny crevices where it would otherwise sit for ages, and more importantly, it physically removes the water together with whatever crud is still dissolved in it.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2013, 06:02:38 pm
content: Just mind the pressure, especially if you have high parts

author: Hamster
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2013, 11:53:43 pm
content: for arcade & pinball boards, i wash them with purple stuff , then rince with water, and then compressed air, if time is not of an required, a oven @ low temp setting & door open.. of course , you wanted fast, so compressed air it is.. I would remove batteries, and any socketed chips before cleaning.

author: Mr Smiley
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 12:32:09 am
content: Purple stuff, gotta get me some of that

author: drake
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:21:15 am
content: Is this compressed air from a can or an air compressor? If its from an air compressor, what psi do you run it at without having to worry about damaging the board?

author: gman4925
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 02:47:11 am
content: I don't think air in a can would have enough pressure, it's marketed for blowing dust away but I find it generally does a poor job for even that.

author: NoNRG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 04:51:07 am
content: 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol works well. It evaporates and takes moisture away at the same time. This is assuming the board isn't completely soaked.

author: cobblers
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 05:16:08 am
content: At work we repair a lot of heavily water soiled boards - each of them gets scrubbed in a water based chemical wash tank, then dunked in fresh water to rinse. I use a combination of compressed air to blow the air out from underneath components, followed by an hour in the oven at 75c. Works great every time.

author: ijchan223
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 05:33:28 am
content: i normally use compressed air or sit the components in front of blower type fan.

author: Nickk2057
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 06:58:59 pm
content: Quote from: cobblers on October 07, 2013, 05:16:08 amtho an oven we have here is a oven that is for food... my mom HATES it when we use it for something that is unnecessary... mothers... bleh.. XD... anyways.. when i use the halogen light i usually have it 7 in. away... and i did it... works wonders now... and also my laptop is running better then ever... YAY!!

author: Capital
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:44:34 pm
content: NoNRG is correct about using Isopropyl alcohol but you could use 70% drugstore variety is you want to reduce fire hazard due to higher flash point. IPA works well for most core or paste fluxes. Stubborn deposits may require longer soak times or the help of a small brush ( toothbrush) or swab. We often immerse entire assemblies and then either allow a thorough air dry or use some heated forced air. Its a good idea not to re-use the cleaning solution since you never know what contaminates it has. Some people use two baths (dirty then cleaner) to insure no ionic contamination exists on surfaces when working with sensitive circuits. Special made cleaners probably work best but a trip to the local drug store may do it- and you can get some aspirin and cheater magnifier glasses while your there in case you are going to solder some tiny surface mount parts.

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:51:57 pm
content: I have a 99% isopropyl alcohol in a common food stogage plastic container that has vacume cover. I keep this container filled by half way with isopropyl alcohol for that purpuses. If you have wet board, or cleaning something on a board (flux, corosion..) just drop it in the container for 10 sec or so, the alcohol pushes all water out (to the top) and then you can take it out, use hair dryer for 30 sec, you will have totaly dry board with no water.This "food container" can be closed with vacume cover and used every time you are cleaning something. Just repeat the procedure

author: Nickk2057
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 01:39:52 am
content: and another question... what is good for washing a board? one i use is Pomolive... which works... then i rinse it and blow it out then dry it under a heat lamp... is that ok to do?

author: Skaface
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2013, 02:21:02 am
content: i spray on flux remover and scrub with a toothbrush, then clean with IPA

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 07:38:53 am
content: Quote from: Nickk2057 on October 10, 2013, 01:39:52 amI also use some kind of liquid soap, the cheapest one i can get, it does not matter, all of them work the same way. It's very important that your board is dry in clean before you put it back into device. I have read somewhere that If you try to get rid of some corrosion, you can use WD-40, but then you must clean the board very good before puting it back to device, because WD-40 is condutive.I have found that the best way to realy get rid of everything on the board is, liquid soap, toothbursh, warm water, and lots of time (as you need to be gentle) after cleaning the board, just submerge it into isopropyl alcohol for 30-60 seconds, it will push out all water from the board then allow to dry, you will have nice clean shiney board

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2013, 11:09:53 am
content: Quote from: Nickk2057Hairdryer