Washing a PCB - SparkFun Electronics Forum

Washing a PCB#152220

By UNTEngineer - Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:26 pm

- Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:26 pm #152220

I had an accident this morning with some milk spilling on one of my Arduinos. I tried to mop up most of the milk with a towel, but I think theres a bit of residue on the board still. Can anyone suggest what to do? I thought it might be ok to wash it with DI water, but I couldnt find any at the local store, so instead I turned to Distilled water. Should I be doing something special to it? I dont want to kill my rather new Arduino.

Working on a Smart Home Controls System. Visit my blog: http://tae09.blogspot.com/ to find out more, and to keep track with the project.

Re: Washing a PCB#152222

By Ross Robotics - Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:34 pm

- Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:34 pm #152222

I use regular rubbing alcohol that you get for less than a dollar along with a tooth brush. It dries quick and leaves no residue.

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//codlink
Available for circuit and PCB design, just PM me!

Re: Washing a PCB#152224

By UNTEngineer - Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:16 pm

- Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:16 pm #152224

codlink wrote:I use regular rubbing alcohol that you get for less than a dollar along with a tooth brush. It dries quick and leaves no residue.

I used 91% before, but it always turns out to be a massive hassle to use that brush with alcohol, and it still leaves residues on the PCB. How about the Distilled vs DI water?

Working on a Smart Home Controls System. Visit my blog: http://tae09.blogspot.com/ to find out more, and to keep track with the project.

Re: Washing a PCB#152225

By Ross Robotics - Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:08 pm

- Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:08 pm #152225

Never used Distilled TBO. As long as it doesn't leave residue and you let it dry completely then I don't see an issue.

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//codlink
Available for circuit and PCB design, just PM me!

Re: Washing a PCB#152226

By UNTEngineer - Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:37 pm

- Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:37 pm #152226

How long does it usually take to dry? I think I'll try using a hair dryer to accelerate the process. Dunno if I can use a heat gun to accelerate the drying even more or would that much heat damage parts?

Working on a Smart Home Controls System. Visit my blog: http://tae09.blogspot.com/ to find out more, and to keep track with the project.

Re: Washing a PCB#152232

By Ross Robotics - Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:44 am

- Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:44 am #152232

If using water, just use a hair dryer. A heat gun could potentially melt the solder and parts start falling off.

Alcohol dries within minutes.

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//codlink
Available for circuit and PCB design, just PM me!

Re: Washing a PCB#152234

By InactiveUser001 - Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:37 am

- Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:37 am #152234

Put it somewhere warm (boiler cupboard etc) and leave it for a day or so too.

Re: Washing a PCB#152239

By UNTEngineer - Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:40 pm

- Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:40 pm #152239

codlink wrote:If using water, just use a hair dryer. A heat gun could potentially melt the solder and parts start falling off.

Alcohol dries within minutes.

ok thanks.

Working on a Smart Home Controls System. Visit my blog: http://tae09.blogspot.com/ to find out more, and to keep track with the project.

Re: Washing a PCB#152334

By Mach3Maelstrom - Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:25 pm

- Mon Nov 26, 2012 12:25 pm #152334

I've always used a mixture of half IPA and half Windex and scrubbed the board with a toothbrush. Then I either hot gun it or use canned air to dry the board.

Really works to get the flux off the board along with any other impurities.

EDIT: To clarify, the hot gun I'm referring to is like a blow dryer for shrink wrap, not a rework heat gun.

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