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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: alaricljs on Thu, 08 September 2011, 11:07:58

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: alaricljs on Thu, 08 September 2011, 11:07:58

Woohoo... That was way easier than I thought it would be.  I think it helps that I over prepared on the whole tools end of things.  Still thinking of replacing my WLC100 with something nicer tho.   Having the fine pitch solder, good rosin flux and keeping the solder wick handy made things a breeze.

Is there any way to clean the PCB without removing the gloss?  Isopropyl Alcohol stripped the shine :(

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: DaemonRaccoon on Thu, 08 September 2011, 11:27:57

Use water-soluble flux or a PCB cleaner (http://www.acc-silicones.com/products/electrochemicals.ashx).

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: alaricljs on Thu, 08 September 2011, 11:42:04

What's in it?  The product link doesn't work and the stuff made by the same company as my flux contains isopropyl, so I have doubts that it doesn't also strip the shine.

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: Parak on Fri, 09 September 2011, 12:42:48

I don't think that isopropyl strips the shine. Rather, it just spreads the flux around in a sticky thin layer. What helped me on SMDs is using denatured alcohol and single passes with a /NEW/ toothbrush. Toothbrushes pick up the flux fast and have it stick, which then gets spread around if you keep using it.

For TH soldering, I use rolled up paper soaked with alcohol, and then just shred it over the board. Another option is if you have a lot of the alcohol, just pour it into a container, and leave the pcb in there for half an hour or so, shaking occasionally.

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: alaricljs on Fri, 09 September 2011, 13:07:24

Since it's a tiny PCB I may just give that a try... 5cmx5cm

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: JBert on Mon, 12 September 2011, 15:11:12

Yesterday I saw a Youtube clip where someone used disposable 80% ethanol wipes. Don't know where he got them (was some Asian video) but it seemed to clean flux alright.

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: Input Nirvana on Mon, 12 September 2011, 15:34:42

I noticed the "shine" seemed to be dulled after using 91% isopropyl. Haven't gone back to look if it's flux or actually de-shined.

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: alaricljs on Mon, 12 September 2011, 16:15:49

I rubbed a spot well with a tissue and the shine came back... It's residue of one sort or another.

Title: First time SMD soldering - success!
Post by: Input Nirvana on Mon, 12 September 2011, 16:33:41

I just love comparative science!