Home Automation FAQ : HA Equipment : Creative Control Concepts/HCS-II : Kit Construction Hints : Is there an easier way to clean flux off a board?
Anyone who has tried to clean rosin flux off a board will tell you how difficult it can be to get it all off. Often the worst part is the dissolved residue just flows elsewhere and leaves a sticky film on the board. There is something out there called Organic Flux Solder which uses a flux chemical that can be washed off with hot water. This solder works very well and most people won’t notice a difference in soldering performance compared to rosin core. HOWEVER! If you use organic core solder, you must realize the residue left after soldering is highly corrosive and also conducts electricity! Do NOT power up a board soldered with organic core solder until it has been cleaned. Note that even though it is corrosive, if you don’t clean a board for a day or so, it will clean up OK. But don’t be surprised to see white specs in the flux residue. To clean the board, just use hot water and an old toothbrush. Be sure to rinse the component side too to ensure all residue from cleaning is rinsed o
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