First time SMD soldering - success!

[alaricljs]

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

[DaemonRaccoon]

Use water-soluble flux or a PCB cleaner.

[alaricljs]

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.

[Parak]

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.

[alaricljs]

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

[JBert]

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.

[Input Nirvana]

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.

[alaricljs]

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

[Input Nirvana]

I just love comparative science!