De Solv it and Flux??

[stevo1210]

Hello Everyone,

I was having some issues with remaining solder flux that was stuck to my mainboard while I was soldering and I used a citrus based solution called De Solv It.... It is an American made product and is available at the local supermarket.... normally it is used to remove sticky residues like tape remains etc.

It is actually water rinseable and doesn't give off any putrid odour part from the smell of orange, since it is citrus based.

The all the flux came off very well, in fact there isn't ay flux stains left on the board itself but I was wondering if this stuff was corrosive in any way....

I think this page has the datasheet for it....
http://www.rcr.com.au/proval/catalogue.php?subid=8

I first tried this stuff with my Trigem motherboard about a month ago and I haven't seen any corrosion yet even though the cleaner is dry, I haven't cleaned it off with water yet, so it still smells of the nice orange smells.

Thanks.

[gonzo0815]

Re: De Solv it and Flux??

Well, it is probably not corosive, but i would not like to have any chemical on elektronic board for a long time.
The usuall problem is, that most cleaner will be degraded after some time, and the endproduct will may be become hygroscopic and may be corrosive or conductive.
So i would prefer to leave the flux prior to remove it with an non water rinsable cleaner.
The flux is in most cases not corrosive at all, as it was desinged to not harm the traces and solder joints. So either just rinse the solvent with usuall dish detergent and water if you have the time to let is completely dry up (about one or more days depending on temperature dn humidity) or just use some alkohol or acetone for the job, if time is criticvall. A normal paint brush will make it very easy to clean solder joints without too mutch solvent.

[Topcat]

Re: De Solv it and Flux??

Best way to deflux a board that I've found:

Scrape the excess away with a hard plastic probe (it flakes off very easily), and then use a fine wire bristle brush and brush away the residual. Then, a blast with the air compressor will blow the dust away. After that, you won't even be able to tell that the board was ever even worked on if your soldering skills are good.

I've found that chemicals used to deflux a board usually make more of a mess than the flux itself. I stopped using the chemical method years ago.

[willawake]

Re: De Solv it and Flux??

flux remover is corrosive to plastic anyway

[kc8adu]

Re: De Solv it and Flux??

flux remover is corrosive to plastic anyway

maybe to the fans found in a prudentway psu.
brand mostly unpronounceable but is "metallic plastic"
look for some pics soon.
note that some fluxes must be completely removed as they are hygroscopic and will turn conductive.
solvents that leave anything behind gather dirt.