Cleaning flux from circuit boards

petespieces · 27th August 2014, 18:33

I cannot buy Isopropanol alcohol here so need an alternative for removing flux from a circuit board.

Any suggestions please?

I have got some nail varnish remover but not sure if OK to use.

Thanks

Pete.

paulozy · 27th August 2014, 18:41

you can get aerosol flux / pcb cleaner, that is probably IPA, or the laser / head cleaning fluid that is diluted ipa. if not I have used methylated spirit in the past but takes longer to dry. Also depends on what the pcb is populated with nail varnish remover will probably be to harsh an attack ribbon cables and some plastics.

petespieces · 27th August 2014, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulozy

you can get aerosol flux / pcb cleaner, that is probably IPA, or the laser / head cleaning fluid that is diluted ipa. if not I have used methylated spirit in the past but takes longer to dry. Also depends on what the pcb is populated with nail varnish remover will probably be to harsh an attack ribbon cables and some plastics.

Problem is I need it now and France just does not seem to have Maplin type outlets, whatever I need always seems to be mail order.

Greeners · 27th August 2014, 21:47

try RS Components

KWIL · 27th August 2014, 22:13

You should be able to obtain IPA from a Pharmacy as well.

Phil-T4 · 28th August 2014, 08:39

Just leave it Pete, it wont do any harm

petespieces · 28th August 2014, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-T4

Just leave it Pete, it wont do any harm

Probably best solution

murphyv310 · 29th August 2014, 19:34

Brake or carburettor cleaner will do fine.

murphyv310 · 29th August 2014, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-T4

Just leave it Pete, it wont do any harm

Depends on the flux. Modern no clean flux is fine. Some older ones are corrosive, rosin based can slowly corrode components and leads. Acid based fluxes on electronics are a no no.

Jumper75 · 6th September 2014, 20:39

brake/carb cleaner or acetone (nail polish remover)

make sure any plastic attachments and covers are removed, particularly dense polystyrene or acrylic. The board and components will tolerate it with no problem

27th August 2014, 18:33	#1
petespieces Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 auto Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Le Theil de Bretagne (France) Posts: 661 Thanks: 36 Thanked 37 Times in 29 Posts	Cleaning flux from circuit boards I cannot buy Isopropanol alcohol here so need an alternative for removing flux from a circuit board. Any suggestions please? I have got some nail varnish remover but not sure if OK to use. Thanks Pete.

27th August 2014, 18:41	#2
paulozy Avid contributor the 286th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 1,465 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: kent Posts: 167 Thanks: 14 Thanked 29 Times in 24 Posts	you can get aerosol flux / pcb cleaner, that is probably IPA, or the laser / head cleaning fluid that is diluted ipa. if not I have used methylated spirit in the past but takes longer to dry. Also depends on what the pcb is populated with nail varnish remover will probably be to harsh an attack ribbon cables and some plastics. __________________ Things to do Erm....

27th August 2014, 21:47	#4
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	try RS Components __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

29th August 2014, 19:34	#8
murphyv310 This is my second home Hyundai i10 998cc Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kilmarnock Posts: 6,602 Thanks: 2,088 Thanked 2,298 Times in 1,349 Posts	Brake or carburettor cleaner will do fine. __________________ Cheers from Trevor MM0KJJ

27th August 2014, 22:13	#5
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,956 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	You should be able to obtain IPA from a Pharmacy as well.

28th August 2014, 08:39	#6
Phil-T4 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T, Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Olney Posts: 2,969 Thanks: 245 Thanked 1,088 Times in 657 Posts	Just leave it Pete, it wont do any harm

6th September 2014, 20:39	#10
Jumper75 Loves to post Rover 75 Connoisseur CDT Tourer Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cardigan Posts: 358 Thanks: 6 Thanked 49 Times in 44 Posts	brake/carb cleaner or acetone (nail polish remover) make sure any plastic attachments and covers are removed, particularly dense polystyrene or acrylic. The board and components will tolerate it with no problem